Psalm 131:1

Translations

Modern

A song of ascents. Of David. My heart is not proud, O LORD, my eyes are not haughty. I do not aspire to great things or matters too lofty for me.

Traditional

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.

Literal

A Song of the Ascents. Of David. O YHWH, my heart is not lifted high, and my eyes are not raised up, and neither have I gone about in great things, and in marvelous things beyond me.

Latin

Canticum graduum David. Domine, non est exaltatum cor meum, neque elati sunt oculi mei, neque ambulavi in magnis, neque in mirabilibus super me.

Original

Hebrew

English

A song of ascents. Of David. My heart is not proud, O LORD, my eyes are not haughty. I do not aspire to great things or matters too lofty for me.

Notes

Psalms 131:1

The 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.

Psalms 131:1–3

Out of his contentment in the Lord, the psalmist invites Israel to seek their rest in God (Psalm 131:3).

Psalms 120:1–134:3

These short and memorable songs were sung by pilgrims as they traveled to Jerusalem for the national festivals held three times each year (Deuteronomy 16:16). The title of these psalms includes a Hebrew word that can mean “steps” or “stairs.” Some scholars understand it to mean “going up to Jerusalem.” These psalms, often called the Songs of Ascents, lead the listener on a journey to Jerusalem to praise God for his goodness to Israel through history.

Theme notes and profiles

David The Heart in the Psalms Wisdom Psalms

Related verses

Romans 12:16
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but associate with the lowly. Do not be conceited.
Psalm 139:6
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
Job 42:3
You asked, ‘Who is this who conceals My counsel without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.
Jeremiah 45:5
But as for you, do you seek great things for yourself? Stop seeking! For I will bring disaster on every living creature, declares the LORD, but wherever you go, I will grant your life as a spoil of war.”
Matthew 11:29
Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Psalm 101:5
Whoever slanders his neighbor in secret, I will put to silence; the one with haughty eyes and a proud heart, I will not endure.
1 Thessalonians 2:6–7
Nor did we seek praise from you or from anyone else, although as apostles of Christ we had authority to demand it.
Psalm 122:1
A song of ascents. Of David. I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD.”
Numbers 12:3
Now Moses was a very humble man, more so than any man on the face of the earth.
Amos 7:14–15
“I was not a prophet,” Amos replied, “nor was I the son of a prophet; rather, I was a herdsman and a tender of sycamore-fig trees.
Deuteronomy 17:20
Then his heart will not be exalted above his countrymen, and he will not turn aside from the commandment, to the right or to the left, in order that he and his sons may reign many years over his kingdom in Israel.
1 Samuel 16:13
So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward. Then Samuel set out and went to Ramah.

People

David: Anointed king of Israel, ancestor of Jesus Christ

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Degrees, Song of Hallel Music Pride Psalms, Book of Song of Ascents Song of Ascents, Song of Degrees

Topics

Ambition: Saints Avoid Haughty Eyes Humility: Exemplified Humility: General Scriptures Concerning Presumption: General Scriptures Concerning Presumption: Saints Avoid Pride: Saints: Give not Away Psalms: Didactic Simplicity: David

Psalm 131:1

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