King James Version
Psalms 131
3 verses with commentary
I Have Calmed and Quieted My Soul
A Song of degrees of David. LORD, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me. exercise: Heb. walk high: Heb. wonderful
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KJV Study Commentary
David confesses humble contentment: 'LORD, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me.' The address 'LORD' establishes this as prayer/testimony before God. The triple negative emphasizes what David is NOT: 'not haughty...nor lofty...neither do I exercise.' 'Heart is not haughty' addresses internal pride - haughty (Hebre...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
23-28. The writer, speaking for the Church, finds encouragement in the midst of all his distresses. God's eternal existence is a pledge of faithfulness to His promises.
**in the way--**of providence.
**weakened--**literally, "afflicted," and made fearful of a premature end, a figure of the apprehensions of the Church, lest God might not perform His promise, drawn from those of a person in view...
Read full commentary →Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child. myself: Heb. my soul
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KJV Study Commentary
The positive alternative to pride is described with tender imagery: 'Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child.' The word 'surely' (Hebrew) provides strong affirmation. The phrase 'behaved and quieted myself' describes intentional cultivation of peace and composure. 'Behaved' (Hebrew 'shavah') means to make level, smooth, e...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(2) **Surely.**—This seems the best way of rendering the phrase, which literally is *if not, *and is plainly elliptical, being commonly used to express strong asseveration after an oath.
**I have behaved . . .**—The figure here is plain. It is taken from a baby’s first real sorrow when he not merely feels pain, but is allowed no access to that which was his solace hitherto. He moans, and frets, an...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
23-28. The writer, speaking for the Church, finds encouragement in the midst of all his distresses. God's eternal existence is a pledge of faithfulness to His promises.
**in the way--**of providence.
**weakened--**literally, "afflicted," and made fearful of a premature end, a figure of the apprehensions of the Church, lest God might not perform His promise, drawn from those of a person in view...
Read full commentary →Let Israel hope in the LORD from henceforth and for ever. henceforth: Heb. now
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KJV Study Commentary
Personal testimony becomes corporate exhortation: 'Let Israel hope in the LORD from henceforth and for ever.' David's individual experience of humble contentment (vv. 1-2) becomes basis for calling all Israel to hope. The command 'let Israel hope' makes confident trust a duty for God's people. The word 'hope' (yachal) means to wait expectantly, trust confidently - same word used in Psalm 130:7. Th...
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