Psalms · Chapter 131

Verse 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, twalpn niphlaoth, wonderful or sublime things; too high for me, ynmm mimmeni, alien from me, and that do not belong to a person in my sphere and situation in life.

Verse 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, twldgb ytklh alw, neither have I walked in great things, &c. It neither is, nor hath been my practice to attempt, or arrogate to myself, any thing above my degree, place, and calling, or to affect worldly glory or domination.

1. Heart… haughty… eyes lofty—The words rendered “haughty” and “lofty” are of similar meaning, and both denote pride. The “heart” and the “eyes” are mentioned as being, the one the chief natural lodgment, and the other the expression, of such a spirit. Strongly does the psalmist repudiate what is so offensive to God, and presents his heart and the expression of his countenance before his Maker, as inward and external proof of his sincerity. Striking at once, as he does, into this characteristic sin of monarchs, and keeping in mind that in prosperity only could there be any danger of it, (see introduction,) the presumption naturally forces itself upon us, that on this point David had been recently and sorely tried. Exercise myself—Literally, I have not walked in the pathway of great things, etc. He had appealed to his “heart” and “eyes” as offering no testimony against him; now he appeals to his general course of conduct, or tenor of life. Things too high for me—I have not aspired to things above my reach or out of my sphere, either in my foreign wars or my policy of home administration. He had not ventured in his own strength, as a mere matter of kingly ambition, or aside from the will and mind of God, upon any great enterprise. He has now reached the climax of his description. Pride and personal ambition are everywhere disavowed.

V. 2. Surely-When my mind was provoked. Weaned-Wholly depending upon God’s providence, as the poor helpless infant, relies upon its mother for support.

Verse 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.

Verses 2, 3. Surely I have behaved and quieted myself — Hebrew, yvpn ytmmwdw ytywv, 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, when it is deprived of its accustomed food, the milk of the breast, takes no care to provide for itself, but wholly relies upon its mother for support. I have levelled my mind to an equality with my condition; and resolved to acquiesce in the present state of things, committing myself wholly to thy care, being content to be disposed of as thou pleasest.” Let Israel hope in the Lord, &c. — “Let all good men, in like manner, modestly place their confidence and hope in the Lord, as long as they live; and choose rather to be depressed, than by any undue means to raise themselves to greatness and honour.” — Bishop Patrick.

2. The conditional Hebrew particle µa, (eem,) here joined with the negative, al, (loh,) takes the sense of solemn asseveration, as in the formula of swearing: “Certainly, verily, I have behaved myself,” etc. See on Psalm 132:3. From negative disavowals he rises to affirmations. Behaved and quieted—Literally, Smoothed, or levelled and stilled; that is, he had composed and hushed his soul as a weaned child. On this comparison to childhood see Matthew 18:3. The comparison is not to an infant, but to a child of three years, the Hebrew period of weaning, (2 Mac. 7:27,) the earliest age of choice and rudimental development. The discipline of weaning is very notable. It effected a total alienation from its earliest nature and habits. As a weaned child David had learned not only to deny himself of prohibited indulgence in the common pride of monarchs, but was cured of the desire. He had no craving for that which God had denied, and from which he was now completely separated. There can be no more natural and beautiful description of a humble, subdued, and submissive spirit than in these artless professions.

Verse 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.

Verses 2, 3. Surely I have behaved and quieted myself — Hebrew, yvpn ytmmwdw ytywv, 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, when it is deprived of its accustomed food, the milk of the breast, takes no care to provide for itself, but wholly relies upon its mother for support. I have levelled my mind to an equality with my condition; and resolved to acquiesce in the present state of things, committing myself wholly to thy care, being content to be disposed of as thou pleasest.” Let Israel hope in the Lord, &c. — “Let all good men, in like manner, modestly place their confidence and hope in the Lord, as long as they live; and choose rather to be depressed, than by any undue means to raise themselves to greatness and honour.” — Bishop Patrick.

3. Let Israel hope in the Lord—Same as Psalm 130:7, which is copied from this. Israel, no less than the psalmist, had been chastened and weaned. The discipline was effective, and should reassure the national hope in Jehovah.