☰ Psalms 131
131
1  A song of ascents,1 by David.
O Lord, my heart is not proud,
nor do I have a haughty look.2
I do not have great aspirations,
or concern myself with things that are beyond me.3
2  Indeed4 I am composed and quiet,5
like a young child carried by its mother;6
I am content like the young child I carry.7
3  O Israel, hope in the Lord
now and forevermore! 8
1 131:1 sn: Psalm 131. The psalmist affirms his humble dependence on the Lord and urges Israel to place its trust in God. 2 131:1 sn: The precise significance of this title, which appears in Pss 120-134, is unclear. Perhaps worshipers recited these psalms when they ascended the road to Jerusalem to celebrate annual religious festivals. For a discussion of their background see L. C. Allen, Psalms 101-150 (WBC), 219-21. 3 131:1 tn: Heb “and my eyes are not lifted up.” 4 131:2 tn: Heb “I do not walk in great things, and in things too marvelous for me.” 5 131:2 tn: Or “but.” 6 131:2 tn: Heb “I make level and make quiet my soul.” 7 131:2 tn: Heb “like a weaned [one] upon his mother.” 8 131:3 tn: Heb “like the weaned [one] upon me, my soul.”
☰