Verse 1
Psalms 131:1. Lord, my heart is
not haughty — Lifted up with
that pride of which I am
accused, as thou, the searcher
of all hearts, knowest; nor mine
eyes lofty — Either to look with
envy on those that are above me,
or with disdain on those that
are below me. Where there is a
proud heart there is commonly a
proud look. Neither do I
exercise myself in great matters
— Hebrew, ולא הלכתי בגדלות,
neither have I walked in great
things, &c. It neither is, nor
hath been my practice to
attempt, or arrogate to myself,
any thing above my degree,
place, and calling, or to affect
worldly glory or domination.
Verse 2-3
Psalms 131:2-3. Surely I have
behaved and quieted myself —
Hebrew, שׁויתי ודוממתי נפשׁי, I
have composed and hushed, or,
rendered silent, my soul. When
my mind was provoked to any
irregular passion or temper, I
restrained and subdued all such
sinful motions or dispositions.
As a child that is weaned of his
mother — As void of all that
ambition and malice, wherewith I
am charged, as a child newly
weaned; or, rather, as wholly
depending upon God’s providence,
as the poor helpless infant,
when it is deprived of its
accustomed food, the milk of the
breast, takes no care to provide
for itself, but wholly relies
upon its mother for support. I
have levelled my mind to an
equality with my condition; and
resolved to acquiesce in the
present state of things,
committing myself wholly to thy
care, being content to be
disposed of as thou pleasest.”
Let Israel hope in the Lord, &c.
— “Let all good men, in like
manner, modestly place their
confidence and hope in the Lord,
as long as they live; and choose
rather to be depressed, than by
any undue means to raise
themselves to greatness and
honour.” — Bishop Patrick. |