Psalms 131:1-3

Psalms 131

DESCRIPTIVE TITLE

The Sinking of Self in Seeking Israel's Welfare.

ANALYSIS

Stanza I., Psalms 131:1, Direct Protestation of Humility. Stanza II., Psalms 131:2, The Weaning from Selfishness. Stanza III., Psalms 131:3, Israel again Encouraged to Hope.

(Lm.) Song of the StepsBy David.

1

Jehovah! not haughty is my heart

nor lofty are mine eyes;
Neither have I moved among great things
or among things too wonderful for me.

2

Surely I have soothed[761] and stilled[762] my soul

[761] Ml.: smoothed.
[762] Some cod. (w. Sep. and Vul.): uplifted (weRomamti instead of weDomamti)Gn. True in itself and tempting; but, in view of context, not so likely.

like a weaned child concerning his mother:

Like the weaned child concerning myself is my soul.[763]

[763] Like a weaned upon his mother, my soul is upon me as a weaned childDr. So, in effect, Del., Per., Kp.; but Br.: so is bountiful dealing upon my soul.

3

Hope O Israel for Jehovah

from henceforth and unto the ages.[764]

[764] U.: and unto times age-abiding.

(Nm.)

PARAPHRASE

Psalms 131

Lord, I am not proud and haughty. I don-'t think myself better than others. I don-'t pretend to know it all.
2. I am quiet now before the Lord, just as a child who is weaned from the breast. Yes, my begging has been stilled.
3 C Israel, you too should quietly trust in the Lordnow, and always.

EXPOSITION

The conclusion has everything in its favour, that David began this psalm, and Hezekiah finished it. The first stanza strongly commends itself as probably reflecting the feeling of David in view of the unlooked-for honour conferred on him when taken from the humble occupation of tending his father's sheep to be king over Israel. He had had no thought, no ambition, for such great things: they would have appeared too wonderful for him. So, we may well believe, David subsequently wroteand sang; though how his little song originally ended we cannot know. Hezekiah, it would seem, discovered the unconsidered trifle, and added to it an adaptation which made it suit his own case with exquisite precision. If he had never felt the stirrings of personal ambition before, he was certainly lifted off his feet when he showed the messengers from Babylon all his treasures. He was sternly rebuked, prospectively punished, andhe humbled himself; but not without a struggle: he had to be weaned from Self, and has here described the process, with unsurpassable insight and delicacy. He had had to smooth and soothe his ruffled soul; and wean himself from any longer drawing sweet satisfaction from what Self could afford. Henceforth he must take a manlier part than nestle on the soft bosom of Self. He was weaned. And now he would wean Israel. Trouble awaited her in the futurethis also now he knew. But, having in his previous song sung of ransom from iniquities, and of Jehovah himself as Ransomer, he must needs now again urge Israel, with tenderer pathos and with longer outlook than before, to hope for Jehovah, from henceforth and unto the ages. This loving call still woos Israel to hear.

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

1.

How was this psalm composed?

2.

David was surprised by joyhow?

3.

There is a marvelous lesson of the life of Hezekiah describedwhat is it? Discuss.