Psalm 131: As a Child
David attests to his humility. “Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty.” He says that he has behaved “as a child that is weaned of his mother.”
Book of Mormon connection:
- An angel tells King Benjamin, “The natural man is an enemy to God,” unless he “becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father” (Mosiah 3:19).
Psalm 132: Promises Between David and God
The psalmist remembers David’s promise to God, that he would not sleep until he found a place for God to rest. He then reviews God’s promise to David, “Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.” He concludes that God will dwell in Zion. “For the Lord hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation. This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell.”
Psalm 133: Aaron’s Beard
An ode to unity: “How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” The psalmist compares unity with plentiful oil used to sanctify Aaron as high priest and with dew from Mount Hermon covering the mountains of Zion.
Book of Mormon connection:
- When Alma organized the church at the waters of Mormon, he commanded the newly baptized church members “that they should look forward with one eye, having one faith and one baptism, having their hearts knit together in unity and in love one towards another” (Mosiah 18:21).
Psalm 134: Lift Up Your Hands
The psalmist calls upon those who serve in God’s sanctuary to bless the Lord, lifting up their hands. In return, he also pleads for the Lord to bless them.
Psalm 135: Whatsoever the Lord Pleased
The psalmist testifies that God is active. “Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.” In contrast, idols do nothing. “They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not; they have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths” (see also Psalm 115:5-7). He calls upon the houses of Israel, Aaron, and Levi to bless the Lord.
Psalm 136: For His Mercy Endureth
Each of the 26 verses of this psalm ends with the same refrain: “For his mercy endureth for ever.” The psalm relates numerous blessings Israel received from God, concluding each time with the refrain. This refrain appears at key moments in the historical books, including when the ark arrived in Jerusalem, when Solomon dedicated the temple, and when the temple was rebuilt after the Babylonian captivity, showing that this refrain had an important place in Israel’s temple worship (see 1 Chronicles 16:34; 2 Chronicles 5:13; 7:3; Ezra 3:11).
Psalm 137: By the Rivers of Babylon
A psalm of mourning and of violent anger. After being carried captive to Babylon, the children of Israel refuse to sing and play their harps, asking, “How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land?” They vow to remember Jerusalem and foresee a time when their captors will be destroyed.
Psalm 138: When I Cried
David expresses confidence in God, saying, “In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.” He declares that even though “the Lord be high,” He nevertheless has “respect unto the lowly.”
Book of Mormon connection:
- Alma quotes a psalm by Zenos, in which he repeatedly remembers God answering his prayers. “When I did cry unto thee in my prayer, … thou didst hear me” (Alma 33:4-11).
Psalm 139: Search Me, O God
David testifies that God knows everything about him. “For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.” He says, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made,” and he pleads with God to search his heart and his thoughts and to lead him “in the way everlasting.”
Book of Mormon connection:
- Ammon testifies to King Lamoni that God looks down from heaven, “and he knows all the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Alma 18:32).
Psalm 140: Sharpened Tongues
David pleads with God to preserve him from violent men, saying, “They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders’ poison is under their lips.” He affirms that God has covered his head in the day of battle, and pleads that his enemies will undercut themselves: “Let the mischief of their own lips cover them.”
Today I will express my confidence in God. As I pray, particularly about difficult questions, I will strive to be like a little child, submissive to Him.
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