Bible Commentaries
Psalms 131

Introduction

Psalms 131:0

STROPHE DIVISIONS OF MODERN TRANSLATIONS

READING CYCLE THREE (see “Guide to Good Bible Reading”)

FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT PARAGRAPH LEVEL

This is a study guide commentary which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects (reading cycle #3). Compare your subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.

1. First paragraph

2. Second paragraph

3. Third paragraph

4. Etc.

Verses 1-3

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Psalms 131:1-3 1O Lord, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes haughty; Nor do I involve myself in great matters, Or in things too difficult for me. 2Surely I have composed and quieted my soul; Like a weaned child rests against his mother, My soul is like a weaned child within me. 3O Israel, hope in the Lord From this time forth and forever.

Psalms 131:1 “Lord” This is the covenant name for Israel's Deity. See Special Topic: Names for Deity.

▣ “heart” This is a Hebrew idiom referring to a person. See SPECIAL TOPIC: THE HEART.

▣ “not proud” The psalmist describes his humble attitude toward God in several phrases in Psalms 131:1-2.

1. not proud (lit. “not lifted up”) - BDB 146, KB 170, Qal perfect

2. eyes not haughty (lit. “my eyes not raised”) - BDB 926, KB 1202, Qal perfect

3. do not involve (lit. “walk,” BDB 229, KB 246, Piel perfect) myself in

a. great matters (BDB 152)

b. things too difficult (BDB 810, see Special Topic: Wonderful Things) for me

4. composed my soul - BDB 1000, KB 1436, Piel perfect

5. quieted my soul - BDB 198, KB 226, Poel perfect

Proud and haughty people are the recipients of YHWH's wrath (cf. Psalms 18:27; Psalms 101:5; Zephaniah 3:11) because it reveals the results of the Fall of Genesis 3:0. Humility shows the results of a spiritual conversion and acceptance of God's revelation.

There is a real question about what the imagery of #3 means.

1. simply an idiom of humility

2. simply an idiom of dependance

3. someone who does not question God's great acts

4. someone who does not presume on God's power

5. a human who knows his/her place in the scheme of things (cf. Psalms 89:10)

Psalms 131:2 The psalmist continues to describe his humble attitude by using the imagery of a child.

▣ “soul” This is nephesh (BDB 659), a way, like “heart,” of referring to the whole person. See full note at Genesis 35:18 online.

Psalms 131:3 The psalmist uses his own humble heart and peaceful hope/trust/patience (BDB 403, KB 407, Piel imperative, cf. Psalms 130:5, Psalms 130:6, Psalms 130:7) to encourage national Israel to the same place.

▣ “From this time forth and forever” This Hebrew idiom uses three words beginning with “ע” (cf. Psalms 113:2; Psalms 115:18; Psalms 121:8; Psalms 125:2).

1. BDB 773 - adverb for current time (i.e., first phrase)

2. BDB 723 III - preposition

3. BDB 761 - noun, 'olam, see Special Topic: Forever ('olam)