# Psalm 131 📖: A Quieted Soul [[📚 Explore the Bible Books]] [[-Psalm Overview]] | [[Psalm 130]] | [[Psalm 132]] > [!info] Table of Contents > [[#📜 Scripture Text (NET)]] > [[#📖 Verse-by-Verse Commentary]] > [[#🤔 Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights]] > [[#🧠 Chapter Summary]] > [[#✝️ Christ in This Chapter]] > [[#🔎 Key Principles / 🛟 Life Application]] > [[#💬 Discussion Questions]] > [[#✍️ Key Verses to Remember]] > [[#🔗 Related Passages/Cross Reference]] > [[#🙏 Devotional Reflection]] > [[#📂 Internal Notes]] ## 📜 Scripture Text (NET) (The NET Bible: New English Translation. Biblical Studies Press, 2005) #### A song of ascents, by David. [[#Verse 01.]] O Lord, my heart is not proud, nor do I have a haughty look. I do not have great aspirations, or concern myself with things that are beyond me. [[#Verse 02.]] Indeed, I have calmed and quieted myself like a weaned child with its mother; I am content like a young child. [[#Verse 03.]] O Israel, hope in the Lord now and forevermore! ## 📖 Verse-by-Verse Commentary ###### Overall. ###### Verse 01. ###### Verse 02. ###### Verse 03. ## 🤔 Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights 1. Psalm 131 is a Song of Ascents attributed to David. 2. It has only three verses, one of the shortest psalms. 3. Children in ancient Israel were often weaned around age two or three, so a weaned child could walk and talk but still rested with its mother. 4. A weaned child no longer comes to its mother demanding to be fed but simply to be near her, a picture of contented trust. 5. Hannah weaned Samuel before bringing him to serve at the tabernacle (1 Samuel 1:22-24). 6. Weaning was sometimes celebrated with a feast (Genesis 21:8). 7. "Things too wonderful for me" (131:1) uses a word often used for God's wonders, things only God understands. 8. The psalm is unusual in using the image of a mother to describe the soul's rest in God. 9. David's humble words stand in contrast to the pride that later led to his failures (2 Samuel 11). 10. The final verse turns personal trust into a call for all Israel to hope in the Lord (131:3). ## 🧠 Chapter Summary > [!note] 🌱 Still growing. This section is on its way. ## ✝️ Christ in This Chapter Christ is gentle and humble in heart, and in Him we find rest for our souls (Matthew 11:29). He calls us to humble ourselves like little children to enter His kingdom (Matthew 18:3-4). ## 🔎 Key Principles / 🛟 Life Application > [!note] 🌱 Still growing. This section is on its way. ## 💬 Discussion Questions 1. David says his heart is not proud and he does not chase things too great for him (131:1). What are some "too great" matters you need to leave in God's hands? 2. He has calmed and quieted his soul like a weaned child with its mother (131:2). What practices help you quiet your soul before God? 3. How is the contentment of a weaned child different from the demands of a nursing child, and what does that teach about trusting God? ## ✍️ Key Verses to Remember - 📖 verse 1: My heart is not proud, and I do not concern myself with things beyond me. - 📖 verse 2: I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother. - 📖 verse 3: Israel, hope in the Lord now and forevermore. ## 🔗 Related Passages/Cross Reference - 🔗 [[Matthew 11#Verse 28.|Matthew 11:28-30]] - Come to Me and find rest for your souls. - 🔗 [[Matthew 18#Verse 03.|Matthew 18:3-4]] - Become like little children. - 🔗 [[Isaiah 66#Verse 13.|Isaiah 66:13]] - As a mother comforts her child. - 🔗 [[Philippians 04#Verse 11.|Philippians 4:11-13]] - I have learned to be content. - 🔗 [[1 Peter 05#Verse 05.|1 Peter 5:5-7]] - Humble yourselves and cast your cares on Him. ## 🙏 Devotional Reflection > [!note] 🌱 Still growing. This section is on its way. ## 📂 Internal Notes