Psalms 131 A Psalm of Humble Trust

This psalm, while expressive of David's pious feelings on assuming the royal office, teaches the humble, submissive temper of a true child of God

¹Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me. ²Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child. ³Let Israel hope in the LORD from henceforth and for ever. Psalms 131:1-3 · KJV

1

eyes lofty — a sign of pride (Ps 18:27). exercise myself — literally, "walk in," or "meddle with."

2

Surely, &c. — The form is that of an oath or strongest assertion. Submission is denoted by the figure of a weaned child. As the child weaned by his mother from the breast, so I still the motions of pride in me (Mt 18:3, 4; Isa 11:8; 28:9). Hebrew children were often not weaned till three years old. soul — may be taken for desire, which gives a more definite sense, though one included in the idea conveyed by the usual meaning, myself.