Psalms 131:1

Psalm 131

A song of ascents, by David.

131:1 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.

Psalms 134:1

Psalm 134

A song of ascents.

134:1 Attention! Praise the Lord,

all you servants of the Lord,

who serve in the Lord’s temple during the night.


sn Psalm 131. The psalmist affirms his humble dependence on the Lord and urges Israel to place its trust in God.

sn The precise significance of this title, which appears in Pss 120-134, is unclear. Perhaps worshipers recited these psalms when they ascended the road to Jerusalem to celebrate annual religious festivals. For a discussion of their background see L. C. Allen, Psalms 101-150 (WBC), 219-21.

tn Heb “and my eyes are not lifted up.”

tn Heb “I do not walk in great things, and in things too marvelous for me.”

sn Psalm 134. The psalmist calls on the temple servants to praise God (vv. 1-2). They in turn pronounce a blessing on the psalmist (v. 3).

sn The precise significance of this title, which appears in Pss 120-134, is unclear. Perhaps worshipers recited these psalms when they ascended the road to Jerusalem to celebrate annual religious festivals. For a discussion of their background see L. C. Allen, Psalms 101-150 (WBC), 219-21.

tn Heb “Look!”

tn Heb “stand.”