A song of ascents, 2 by David.
131:1 O Lord, my heart is not proud,
nor do I have a haughty look. 3
I do not have great aspirations,
or concern myself with things that are beyond me. 4
131:2 Indeed 5 I am composed and quiet, 6
like a young child carried by its mother; 7
I am content like the young child I carry. 8
1 sn Psalm 131. The psalmist affirms his humble dependence on the Lord and urges Israel to place its trust in God.
2 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 tn Heb “and my eyes are not lifted up.”
4 tn Heb “I do not walk in great things, and in things too marvelous for me.”
5 tn Or “but.”
6 tn Heb “I make level and make quiet my soul.”
7 tn Heb “like a weaned [one] upon his mother.”
8 tn Heb “like the weaned [one] upon me, my soul.”