God’s Word Translation
Psalms 131:1
1O Lord, my heart is not conceited. My eyes do not look down on others. I am not involved in things too big or too difficult for me.
Psalms 131:1 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)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.
- New International Version (NIV)My heart is not proud, Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me.
- English Standard Version (ESV)O Lord, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Lord, my heart is not haughty, Nor my eyes lofty. Neither do I concern myself with great matters, Nor with things too profound for me.
Context of Psalms 131:1
O Lord, my heart is not conceited. My eyes do not look down on others. I am not involved in things too big or too difficult for me. 2Instead, I have kept my soul calm and quiet. My soul is content as a weaned child is content in its mother’s arms. 3Israel, put your hope in the Lord now and forever.
Read all of Psalms 131Psalms 131:1 word by word
יְהוָ֤ה׀ לֹא־גָבַ֣הּ לִ֭בִּי וְלֹא־רָמ֣וּ עֵינַ֑י וְלֹֽא־הִלַּ֓כְתִּי׀ בִּגְדֹל֖וֹת וּבְנִפְלָא֣וֹת מִמֶּֽנִּי׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Lordיְהֹוָהyehôvâh · LORDH3068
- my heartלֵבlêb · heartH3820
- is not haughtyגָּבַהּgâbahh · be highH1361
- nor mine eyesעַ֫יִן‛ayin · eyeH5869
- loftyרוּםrûm · to exaltH7311
- neither do I exerciseהָלַךְhâlak · to go: continueH1980
- myself in great mattersגָּדוֹלgâdôl gâdôl · great: largeH1419
- or in things too highפָּלָאpâlâ' · to wonderH6381
Cross-references for Psalms 131:1
- Psalms 122:1I was glad when they said to me, “Let’s go to the house of the Lord.”
- Psalms 124:1“If the Lord had not been on our side …” (Israel should repeat this.)
- Psalms 133:1See how good and pleasant it is when brothers and sisters live together in harmony!
- Numbers 12:3(Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on earth.)
- Deuteronomy 17:20Then he won’t think he’s better than the rest of his people, and he won’t disobey these commands in any way. So he and his sons will rule for a long time in Israel.
- 1 Samuel 16:13Samuel took the flask of olive oil and anointed David in the presence of his brothers. The Lord’s Spirit came over David and stayed with him from that day on. Then Samuel left for Ramah.
- 1 Samuel 17:15David went back and forth from Saul’s camp to Bethlehem, where he tended his father’s flock.
- 1 Samuel 18:23When Saul’s officers made it a point to say this, David asked, “Do you think it’s easy to become the king’s son-in-law? I am a poor and unimportant person.”
- Matthew 11:29Place my yoke over your shoulders, and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble. Then you will find rest for yourselves
- Acts 20:19I humbly served the Lord, often with tears in my eyes. I served the Lord during the difficult times I went through when the Jews plotted against me.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:6We didn’t seek praise from people, from you or from anyone else,
- Psalms 78:70He chose his servant David. He took him from the sheep pens.
- Jeremiah 17:16I have not run away from being your shepherd, and I have not longed for the day of destruction. You know what came out of my mouth.
- Jeremiah 45:5Are you looking for great things for yourself? Don’t look for them, because I’m going to bring disaster on all people, declares the Lord. But wherever you go I will let you escape with your life.’ ”
- Amos 7:14Amos responded, “I’m not a prophet, and I’m not a disciple of the prophets. I am a rancher and a grower of figs.
- Romans 12:16Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be arrogant, but be friendly to humble people. Don’t think that you are smarter than you really are.
Commentaries on Psalms 131:1
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1Lord, my heart is not haughty - Though this is charged upon me; though I may have said things which seem to imply it; though this might appear a just inference from my conduct - yet I am conscious that this is not my real character. What I have said was not the result of ambition. Nor mine eyes lofty - I am conscious that I am not ambitious and aspiring - as I am accused of being. What I have said is not the result of such a feeling, nor should such a…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 1The psalmist's humility. Believers encouraged to trust in God. --The psalmist aimed at nothing high or great, but to be content in every condition God allotted. Humble saints cannot think so well of themselves as others think of them. The love of God reigning in the heart, will subdue self-love. Where there is a proud heart, there is commonly a proud look. To know God and our duty, is learning sufficiently high for us. It is our wisdom not to meddle with…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1The heart represents the entire person (see Psalm 27:8). God hates arrogance, which is a foolish way of life (Proverbs 6:16–19). The psalmist does not trouble himself with matters that properly belong to the Lord.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-31. eyes lofty--a sign of pride (Psa 18:27). exercise myself--literally, "walk in," or "meddle with."Read the comment
- Rashi on Tanakh · v. 1my heart was not haughty, etc. I did not behave with superiority. I did not make great things pleasures, buildings, and plantings as my son made. Behold I am with You like one who has no hands or feet, like an incomplete form lying before You.Read the comment
Topics related to Psalms 131:1
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Psalms 131
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- The Treasury of David
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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