Psalms 131:1

“Lord, my heart is not haughty, etc.] The heart of every man is naturally so, and everything in civil life tends to make it more so; as riches and honour, birth and blood, wisdom, knowledge, and learning, strength and beauty, especially where there is a superiority of those to others; and in religious if persons have not the true grace of God, their hearts will be haughty; if they have a notion of the purity of human nature, and the goodness of their hearts, and are pure in their own eyes, and of the power of their free will to do this and the other, and of their perfection in good works, and are full of their own righteousness, and have some external gifts, and some degree of notional…”

“The blessings of fraternal unity. (Psa 133:1-3) As the fragrant oil is refreshing, so this affords delight. The holy anointing oil for the high priest was olive oil mixed with four of the best spices (Exo 30:22, Exo 30:25, Exo 30:30). Its rich profusion typified the abundance of the Spirit's graces. As the copious dew, such as fell on Hermon, falls in fertilizing power on the mountains of Zion, so this unity is fruitful in good works.”

“Lord, my heart is not haughty - Though this is charged upon me; though I may have said things which seem to imply it; though this might appear a just inference from my conduct - yet I am conscious that this is not my real character. What I have said was not the result of ambition. Nor mine eyes lofty - I am conscious that I am not ambitious and aspiring - as I am accused of being. What I have said is not the result of such a feeling, nor should such a charge be brought against me. Neither do I exercise myself - Margin, as in Hebrew, walk. I do not walk about among such things; I do not pry into them; I do not meddle with them. What I have said or done is not, as has been said concerning me,…”

“Ps 131 Out of his contentment in the Lord, the psalmist invites Israel to seek their rest in God (131:3). 131:1 The heart represents the whole being (see 27:8). • God hates arrogance, which is a foolish way of life (Prov 6:16-19). • The psalmist does not trouble himself with matters that properly belong to the Lord.”

“my heart: Num 12:3; Deu 17:20; Sa1 16:13, Sa1 16:18, Sa1 16:22, Sa1 17:15, Sa1 17:28, Sa1 17:29, Sa1 18:23; Mat 11:29; Act 20:19; Th1 2:6, Th1 2:7, Th1 2:10 neither: Psa 78:70-72; Jer 17:16, Jer 45:5; Amo 7:14, Amo 7:15; Rom 12:16 exercise: Heb. walk high for me: Heb. wonderful for me, Psa 139:6; Job 42:3; Rom 11:33 Psalms 131:2”

“This little song is inscribed לדוד because it is like an echo of the answer ( Sa2 6:21.) with which David repelled the mocking observation of Michal when he danced before the Ark in a linen ephod, and therefore not in kingly attire, but in the common raiment of the priests: I esteem myself still less than I now show it, and I appear base in mine own eyes. In general David is the model of the state of mind which the poet expresses here. He did not push himself forward, but suffered himself to be drawn forth out of seclusion. He did not take possession of the throne violently, but after Samuel has anointed him he willingly and patiently traverses the long, thorny, circuitous way of deep…”