Psalms 131:1

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

Lord, my heart is not proud; my eyes are not haughty. I don’t concern myself with matters too great or too awesome for me to grasp. 2Instead, I have calmed and quieted myself, like a weaned child who no longer cries for its mother’s milk. Yes, like a weaned child is my soul within me. 3O Israel, put your hope in the Lord— now and always.

Psalms 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 us go to the house of the Lord.”
• Psalms 124:1What if the Lord had not been on our side? Let all Israel repeat:
• Psalms 133:1How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!
• Numbers 12:3(Now Moses was very humble—more humble than any other person on earth.)
• Deuteronomy 17:20This regular reading will prevent him from becoming proud and acting as if he is above his fellow citizens. It will also prevent him from turning away from these commands in the smallest way. And it will ensure that he and his descendants will reign for many generations in Israel.
• 1 Samuel 16:13So as David stood there among his brothers, Samuel took the flask of olive oil he had brought and anointed David with the oil. And the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David from that day on. Then Samuel returned to Ramah.
• 1 Samuel 17:15but David went back and forth so he could help his father with the sheep in Bethlehem.
• 1 Samuel 18:23When Saul’s men said these things to David, he replied, “How can a poor man from a humble family afford the bride price for the daughter of a king?”
• Matthew 11:29Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
• Acts 20:19I have done the Lord’s work humbly and with many tears. I have endured the trials that came to me from the plots of the Jews.
• 1 Thessalonians 2:6As for human praise, we have never sought it from you or anyone else.
• Psalms 78:70He chose his servant David, calling him from the sheep pens.
• Jeremiah 17:16Lord, I have not abandoned my job as a shepherd for your people. I have not urged you to send disaster. You have heard everything I’ve said.
• Jeremiah 45:5Are you seeking great things for yourself? Don’t do it! I will bring great disaster upon all these people; but I will give you your life as a reward wherever you go. I, the Lord, have spoken!’”
• Amos 7:14But Amos replied, “I’m not a professional prophet, and I was never trained to be one. I’m just a shepherd, and I take care of sycamore-fig trees.
• Romans 12:16Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!

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

• Humility
• Presumption

In the dictionaries

• Degrees, Song of
• Hallel
• Psalms
• Degree
• Degrees, Songs of
• Dial of Ahaz
• Exercise
• Eye
• Hallelujah
• Hezekiah (2)

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