
Psalm 131
Psalm 131 is a short but profound song of humility and trust in God. Written by David, it expresses his calm contentment in God's care, contrasting human pride and self-ambition with childlike trust. The psalmist rejects arrogance and rests in quiet submission, encouraging Israel to place its hope in the Lord forever.
Psalm 131:1 (NKJV)
1 Lord, my heart is not haughty,
Nor my eyes lofty.
Neither do I concern myself with great matters,
Nor with things too profound for me.
David begins by affirming his humility before God. He does not allow pride to take root in his heart, nor does he look down on others. By avoiding excessive ambition and not meddling in matters beyond his understanding, David models a spirit of submission. He recognizes his limitations and chooses to trust in God’s wisdom rather than trying to grasp what is too great for him.
Psalm 131:2 (NKJV)
2 Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul,
Like a weaned child with his mother;
Like a weaned child is my soul within me.
David describes the state of his soul as calm and quiet, like a child who has been weaned and is no longer restless or demanding. This image suggests trust and contentment in God's presence, similar to how a child rests with their mother. The weaned child no longer cries for constant sustenance but is at peace, knowing it will be provided for. David's soul rests in God’s care with complete assurance.
Psalm 131:3 (NKJV)
3 O Israel, hope in the Lord
From this time forth and forever.
David closes with an exhortation to Israel, encouraging them to place their hope in the Lord continually. His personal experience of peace and humility serves as a lesson for the nation. Just as David found rest and contentment by trusting in God, so should Israel anchor its hope in the Lord, not in human strength or wisdom. This trust is not temporary but should last forever.