In this week’s study from Tehillim / Psalms 131:1-3, the psalm opens saying, א שִׁיר הַמַּעֲלוֹת לְדָוִד יְהֹוָה | לֹא-גָבַהּ לִבִּי וְלֹא-רָמוּ עֵינַי וְלֹא-הִלַּכְתִּי | בִּגְדֹלוֹת וּבְנִפְלָאוֹת מִמֶּנִּי: 131:1 O Lord, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes haughty; Nor do I involve myself in great matters, Or in things too difficult for me. (NASB) The psalmist opens with a declaration that his heart is not proud. The lifting of the eyes is a term implying pride as in the proud look. He follows with not having haughty eyes. The haughty eyes is mentioned in Mishley / Proverbs 6:17 and in Mishley / Proverbs 30:10 saying, “There is a generation, oh how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up.” If we think about the generation spoken of here in the text that is proud and lofty in their thoughts, how applicable is this for our generation today? The psalmist states that he does not involve himself in great matters or difficult things. This sounds a lot like what Paul was writing in 2 Corinthians 4:18, to not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. The concept of great matters may be related to the things of the world, as it is connected to pride and the pursuit of great success at work, or in politics, or business, or some other form of worldly activity. Not getting involved in great matters may be related to being humble. Having the ability to solve difficult tasks has the capability of increasing pride in one’s life. Read more here: Tehillim 131-Part1
