Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents

Psalm 131. This psalm of confidence in the Lord models the ideal frame of soul before God, a "calmed and quieted soul."

131:1-2 I Have Quieted My Soul. The opening section describes the humility that befits the faithful person: his heart is not lifted up and his eyes are not raised too high (expressions for arrogance and pride); nor does he occupy himself with things too great and too marvelous for him (i.e., with matters beyond human powers to comprehend; cf. Deut. 29:29). This person has calmed and quieted his soul, like a weaned child with its mother: just as a weaned child is content simply having his mother's presence, so the faithful worshiper is content with God's presence, even when there are many things he would like God to explain (such as how one's own little story relates to the big story; see note on Psalm 111).