Bible Commentaries
Psalms 131

Verse 2

Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child.

Surely I have behaved and quieted myself - literally, 'I have composed and quieted my soul.' Hengstenberg takes it, 'I have smoothed,' etc., as in Isaiah 28:25, removing all false elevations (Isaiah 40:4). [So shaawah (H7737) primarily means, but in the Piel to compose or dispose.] The quieting of his soul refers to his stilling the motions of pride. "Surely," in Hebrew, a solemn asseveration (im lo).

As a child that is weaned of his mother - as one still a child, though weaned (Isaiah 11:8; Isaiah 28:9), having nil the humility of such a little one (Matthew 18:3-4). [ `ªleey (H5921) 'imow (H517)] "Of his mother" - rather, 'UPON his mother;' i:e., in his mother's bosom (cf. 1 Corinthians 14:20). Children among the Hebrews were often not weaned until three years old.

My soul is even as a weaned child - literally, 'as a weaned child is my sold in (or, upon) me.' The point of comparison is, The child though in his mother's bosom, yet no longer seeks the mother's milk; so my soul in me no longer seeks eagerly its natural thoughts of haughtiness and high aims.

Verse 3

Let Israel hope in the LORD from henceforth and for ever.

Let Israel hope in the Lord from henceforth and forever. Hope in the Lord is the antidote of haughty thoughts and overweening aims by one's own hand. Psalms 130:7 is copied from this. If Israel, wishes to be great "from henceforth and forever," she must leave herself in the Lord's hands, and wait for the Lord's time and way to magnify her.