At first glance, one may be tempted to consider the final verse of Psalm 131 as an added appendix, a simple admonition to forever hope in the Lord. Yet, a closer look will prove this concluding verse to be an intricate part of the great truth taught in this magnificent psalm.

David’s words, “O Israel, hope in the Lord…” are indicative of a soul weaned from self. Once weaned from self, the calmed and quieted soul can think of others. Until the soul is weaned from self, it will be difficult, if not impossible, to see beyond one’s self and to be sincerely concerned with the welfare of others, even the welfare of one’s own countrymen.

David’s words, “…hope in the Lord from this time forth and forever,” are indicative of a soul weaned from this world. Once weaned from the temporal things of the here and now, one can hope for the eternal things of the hereafter. Until the soul is weaned from this world, it will be difficult, if not impossible, to escape the allure of worldly things and to focus one’s attention on heavenly things.

It is only when one’s soul has been calmed and quieted by being weaned from both self and the world that one’s hope can be expanded to the farthest extent. There is room for the largest hope once hope’s parameters are extended beyond the inhibiting boundaries of self. Likewise, hope springs eternal once it is extended beyond transient things.

The calm soul possesses a hope expanded beyond the inhibiting boundaries of self and transient things.