Psalm 131

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 131

This psalm is David's profession of humility, humbly made, with thankfulness to God for his grace, and not in vain-glory. It is probable enough that (as most interpreters suggest) David made this protestation in answer to the calumnies of Saul and his courtiers, who represented David as an ambitious aspiring man, who, under pretence of a divine appointment, sought the kingdom, in the pride of his heart. But he appeals to God, that, on the contrary, I. He aimed at nothing high nor great, Ps.... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 131:1-3

Here are two things which will be comforts to us:? I. Consciousness of our integrity. This was David's rejoicing, that his heart could witness for him that he had walked humbly with his God, notwithstanding the censures he was under and the temptations he was in. 1. He aimed not at a high condition, nor was he desirous of making a figure in the world, but, if God had so ordered, could have been well content to spend all his days, as he did in the beginning of them, in the sheep-folds. His own... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 131

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 131 A Song of degrees of David . This psalm was written by David in his younger days, before he came to the throne; while he was in Saul's court, or persecuted by him. The occasion of it, as is generally thought, was a calumny cast upon him, as if he had some ill designs against Saul; was ambitious of the crown, and aspiring to the throne, and was plotting and forming measures to get the government into his hand; see 1 Samuel 24:9 ; with respect to all which he... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 131:1

Lord, my heart is not haughty ,.... The heart of every man is naturally so, and everything in civil life tends to make it more so; as riches and honour, birth and blood, wisdom, knowledge, and learning, strength and beauty, especially where there is a superiority of those to others; and in religious if persons have not the true grace of God, their hearts will be haughty; if they have a notion of the purity of human nature, and the goodness of their hearts, and are pure in their own eyes, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 131:2

Surely I have behaved and quieted myself ,.... Or "my soul" F15 נפשי "animam meam", V. L. Pagninus, Montanus, &c.; ; behaved quietly and peaceably towards all men, even his inferiors in Saul's court and elsewhere, and had given no tokens of a restless, turbulent, and ambitious spirit; as well as behaved patiently under all his troubles and afflictions, reproaches and calumnies: or "if I have not" F16 אם לא "si non", Montanus; "male sit mihi si non", Tigurine version. ,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 131:3

Let Israel hope in the Lord from henceforth and for ever. What he did himself, and found it good for him to do, that he knew was good for others, and therefore exhorts and encourages to it, to hope in the Lord and wait for his salvation; and which should be done constantly, and to the end of life, or till the thing hoped for is enjoyed; see Hebrews 3:6 . Perhaps some respect is here had to the people of Israel, especially the friends of David, who were weary of Saul's government, and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 131

The psalmist professes his humility, and the peaceableness of his disposition and conduct, Psalm 131:1 , Psalm 131:2 . Exhorts Israel to hope in God, Psalm 131:3 . Some think that David composed this Psalm as a vindication of himself, when accused by Saul's courtiers that he affected the crown, and was laying schemes and plots to possess himself of it. Others think the Psalm was made during the captivity, and that it contains a fair account of the manner in which the captives behaved... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 131:1

Lord, my heart is not haughty - The principle of pride has no place in my heart; and consequently the high, lofty, and supercilious look does not appear in my eyes. I neither look up, with desire to obtain, to the state of others, nor look down with contempt to the meanness or poverty of those below me. And the whole of my conduct proves this; for I have not exercised myself - walked, in high matters, nor associated myself with the higher ranks of the community, nor in great matters, נפלאות... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 131:2

I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child - On the contrary, I have been under the rod of others, and when chastised have not complained; and my silence under my affliction was the fullest proof that I neither murmured nor repined, but received all as coming from the hands of a just God. My soul is even as a weaned child - I felt I must forego many conveniences and comforts which I once enjoyed; and these I gave up without repining or demurring. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 131:3

Let Israel hope in the Lord - Act all as I have done; trust in him who is the God of justice and compassion; and, after you have suffered awhile, he will make bare his arm and deliver you. Short as it is, this is a most instructive Psalm. He who acts as the psalmist did, is never likely to come to mischief, or do any to others. read more

Group of Brands