** This response is biblically sound, concise, and personable. It walks through the verses step-by-step, helping the questioner comprehend the words in the verses, interpret them, and then apply them. It also points the questioner to a related, helpful verse. The response is easy to understand and genuinely friendly in tone. **

Question: What does Psalm 131:1-2 mean?

Profile: Male, North America, New Christian, 26—35

Answered by: Doug Andre, who has been a volunteer with us since May, 2007.

Answer: Psalm 131 is written by David and it perfectly models how to have confidence in the Lord and how one can have a calm and quieted soul. Notice in verse one where it describes a faithful person who has humility – “O Lord, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high” This person is not prideful or arrogant. Also notice in verse one that this person does not want to waste time thinking about things that are beyond them – “I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me.” The person will know that there are things that they cannot comprehend; things only God will know and understand.

In verse two we see a picture of a person who has a calm and quieted soul – “But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.” The picture of a weaned child is a picture of contentment as the child is happy just to have the mother near them. So it is with those of us who faithfully worship God; we should also be content with His presence and not merely His knowledge. Psalm 46:10 further illustrates a calm and quieted soul when it reminds us to: “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Can I encourage you to take time right now to quiet yourself before the Lord and let He dwell richly in you?