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Psalms

About this book
Psalm 131

1 A song of ascents, by David. 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 things too marvelous for me.⁠ 2 Indeed, I have calmed and quieted myself like a weaned child with its mother; I am content like a young child. 3 O Israel, hope in the Lord now and forevermore!

Texts in conversation

Compare Psalm 131:1 and Job 42:3

Hebrew Bible

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Summary

Psalm 131 and Job 42 teach humility for what cannot be understood, calling these kinds of ideas “too marvelous.” Job discovers this insight through intense suffering, while the psalm presents it as calm trust and quiet acceptance of limits.

Passages

Psalm 131:1

Hebrew Bible
1 A song of ascents, by David. 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 things too marvelous for me. 2 Indeed, I have calmed and quieted myself like a weaned child with its mother; I am content like a young child. 3 O Israel, hope in the Lord now and forevermore!
600–201 BCE (scholarly estimate) Read in Psalms

Job 42:3

Hebrew Bible
1 Then Job answered the Lord: 2 “I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted; 3 you asked, ‘Who is this who darkens counsel without knowledge?’ But I have declared without understanding things too wonderful for me to know. 4 You said, ‘Pay attention, and I will speak; I will question you, and you will answer me.’ 5 I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye has seen you.
500–401 BCE (scholarly estimate) Read in Job

References

"... The psalm [131] opens with a repudiation of pride. In address to God, the psalmist vigorously rejects haughty ways (Ezekiel 28:2, 17; Proverbs 16:5). Note the repetition of not, not, not (verse 1). Marvelous refers to what is beyond human understanding because it reveals the mystery of the divine love (Psalm 9:1; 78:11). The psalmist rejects the temptation to venture into the mysterious ways of God so as to understand or control them (Job 42:3; Isaiah 40:12-14). This psalm’s attitude of humility and limitation contrasts with Isaiah 2:6-22, where Israel is accused of being proud, haughty, and lifted up. Humble trust in God was a major element in the inner life of the poor and righteous. The psalm may have come from the circles of the righteous of the postexilic community ..."
James H. Waltner, Psalms (Scottdale, PA: Herald, 2006), 629.

References are not endorsements of their contents. Read each reference in full to understand its author's intentions in using these texts.

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Psalm 131:1 and Job 42:3

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