Psalm 131:1-2

Lowliness of mind. This psalm may have been written by David so far as its subject-matter is concerned. For that lowliness of mind of which it treats is quite as compatible with a high as with a humble position in life. Royalty may be very meek, and obscurity may be very proud. All moral qualities are independent of situations; they are a question of character, not of circumstance. Of the greatest One that ever bore our likeness it is said, "Thy King cometh … meek" ( Matthew 21:5 ). But... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 131:1-3

The soul's most blessed condition. That which the psalmist here affirms of himself is undoubtedly the spiritual condition which is nearest to heaven that here on earth we can know. I. HE TELLS US WHAT IT IS NOT . 1. Pride of heart is absent from it . "My heart is not haughty." We may say this to our fellow-men, and deceive them by a show of humility; but it is quite another thing to affirm this, as is here done, before the Lord, "to whom all hearts are open, and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 131:1-3

Humility. "Lord, my heart is not haughty," etc. "The psalmist has learned from adversity the lesson of submission, and counsels the nation to fit itself in like manner for winning the blessings which are still in store." The authorship is uncertain; but it was probably written after the Exile. The writer had learned— I. HUMILITY . 1. Humility is exemplified in a lowly estimate of ourselves be/ore God and man . Before God as well as before man. 2. In not aiming at things... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 131:2

Surely I have behaved and quieted myself ; rather, I have stilled and quieted my soul . I have brought my soul into a state of peacefulness and content. As a child that is weaned of his mother . The weaned child is quiet and content; the suckling always impatient and restless. My soul is even as a weaned child . Another repetition for the sake of emphasis (see Psalms 130:5 , Psalms 130:6 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 131:2

Restraint of natural ambitions. "Instead of fretting after what is too great for him, he quiets his ambition, and his spirit lies calm and gentle, like a child in its mother's arms, that, after the first trouble of weaning is over, is soothed and lulled by the maternal caress." The image is strikingly simple and true, of natural desire stayed and of a subdued quietness of rest rather than delight. Perowne quotes the following as a mother's experience: "The weaned child has for the first... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 131:1

Lord, my heart is not haughty - Though this is charged upon me; though I may have said things which seem to imply it; though this might appear a just inference from my conduct - yet I am conscious that this is not my real character. What I have said was not the result of ambition.Nor mine eyes lofty - I am conscious that I am not ambitious and aspiring - as I am accused of being. What I have said is not the result of such a feeling, nor should such a charge be brought against me.Neither do I... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 131:2

Surely I have behaved and quieted myself - Margin, as in Hebrew, my soul. The Hebrew is, “If I have not soothed and quieted my soul.” This is a strong mode of affirming that he had done it. The negative form is often thus used to denote a strong affirmation. The full form would be, “God knows if I have not done this;” or, “If I have not done this, then let me bear the consequences; let me be punished.” The idea is that he was conscious he had done this. Instead of being arrogant, proud, and... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 131:1

Psalms 131:1. Lord, my heart is not haughty Lifted up with that pride of which I am accused, as thou, the searcher of all hearts, knowest; nor mine eyes lofty Either to look with envy on those that are above me, or with disdain on those that are below me. Where there is a proud heart there is commonly a proud look. Neither do I exercise myself in great matters Hebrew, ולא הלכתי בגדלות , neither have I walked in great things, &c. It neither is, nor hath been my practice to attempt,... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 131:2-3

Psalms 131:2-3. Surely I have behaved and quieted myself Hebrew, שׁויתי ודוממתי נפשׁי , I have composed and hushed, or, rendered silent, my soul. When my mind was provoked to any irregular passion or temper, I restrained and subdued all such sinful motions or dispositions. As a child that is weaned of his mother As void of all that ambition and malice, wherewith I am charged, as a child newly weaned; or, rather, as wholly depending upon God’s providence, as the poor helpless infant,... read more

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