Psalm 131 is read especially through the theme of pilgrimage, within Book V (Psalms 107–150). Its language invites attentive prayer before quick application.
1A Song of Ascents. By David. LORD, my heart isn’t arrogant, nor my eyes lofty; nor do I concern myself with great matters, or things too wonderful for me.
2Surely I have stilled and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with his mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me.
3Israel, hope in the LORD, from this time forward and forever more.
Psalm 131 is read especially through the theme of pilgrimage, within Book V (Psalms 107–150). Its language invites attentive prayer before quick application. Read it within the complete five-book Psalms collection, then compare its prayer language with the types of prayer found across Scripture. Classification is a reading aid rather than a replacement for the Psalm's own movement and tension.
Book V (Psalms 107–150). The five-book shape of the Psalter helps readers hear individual prayers within a deliberately arranged collection.
Pilgrimage. Read for these themes while remaining open to tension and secondary movements.
Psalm 131 contains 3 verses and about 60 words in this translation. These observations come from the chapter itself; they are prompts for close reading, not claims about its only possible meaning.
Verse 1 begins: “A Song of Ascents. By David. LORD, my heart isn’t arrogant, nor my eyes lofty; nor do I concern myself with great matters, or things too wonderful for me.” Ask what situation, voice, image, or argument this opening establishes for everything that follows.
Verse 3 closes: “Israel, hope in the LORD, from this time forward and forever more.” Compare the ending with the opening and note what changed, resolved, intensified, or remained open.
Recurring or prominent content words include soul, like, weaned, child, song, ascents. Follow where each word appears and whether its meaning shifts with the speaker or setting.
This page reproduces the World English Bible Protestant edition (WEBP), a modern-English translation dedicated to the public domain.
Use the book, chapter, and verse—for example, Psalms 131:1—and name the World English Bible if the wording matters. Each verse number above is a direct anchor link.
Not always. Chapter and verse numbers were added for navigation. Check the paragraphs, scenes, poetic stanzas, or argument before and after this chapter.
Our reading profile emphasizes pilgrimage, with related themes of Pilgrimage. Many Psalms blend genres or move between moods, so this label is a guide rather than a rigid classification.
Begin with one honest question, one passage read carefully, and one faithful next step.