God’s Word for Today

17 Apr 2024

O LORD, my heart is not lifted up;

my eyes are not raised too high;

I do not occupy myself with things

too great and too marvelous for me.

2 But I have calmed and quieted my soul,

like a weaned child with its mother;

like a weaned child is my soul within me.

3 O Israel, hope in the LORD

from this time forth and forevermore.

-Psa 131:1-3 ESV

I HAVE CALMED AND QUIETED MY SOUL

“Some think that David composed this Psalm as a vindication of himself, when accused by Saul's courtiers that he affected the crown, and was laying schemes and plots to possess himself of it. Others think the Psalm was made during the captivity, and that it contains a fair account of the manner in which the captives behaved themselves, under the domination of their oppressors.”[Clarke Commentary]

David expressed his disinterest about cravings of the world. He might be accused of being proud and ambitious. But, he was consciously aware that he is not ambitious and greedy for ‘things too great and too marvelous’ for him. He vehemently expressed that he distanced himself from lofty ambition of advancing himself, to any position or status of the state, rank and honor.

As quoted in Dr. Constable’s Expository Notes, "The godly knows that true godliness begins in the ’heart’ that is not proud (cf. Proverbs 18:12), with eyes that do not envy (cf. Psalms 18:27; Psalms 101:5; Proverbs 16:5), and with a walk of life (MT, ’I do not walk’ for NIV, ’I do not concern myself’) that is not preoccupied with ’greatness’ (cf. Jeremiah 45:5) and with accomplishments (’wonderful,’ i.e., ’difficult’ or ’arduous’; cf. Deuteronomy 17:8; Deuteronomy 30:11)." [Note: VanGemeren, p. 803.]

Why?

He has ‘calmed and quieted’ his soul. He is as a ‘weaned’ child not to crave wildly for his mother’s milk anymore. ‘A little child thus clinging to its mother - laying its head gently down on the bosom - languishing - looking for nourishment - would be a most tender image of meekness and gentleness.’[Barnes Notes]

There is an apparent reflection to the teachings of Jesus, who set a little child in the midst of the overtly ambitious apostles. They were quarreling about who was going to get the chief seats in the Kingdom of God. And, He emphatically taught them, saying,“ “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3,4).

The human soul needs “weaning” from all of its anxious ambitions and worldly things, doesn’t he?  Then and only then, he can enjoy the tranquillity of a heart in tune with God’s will. The psalmist here affirms that he is indeed weaned from such fleeting things. Like the merchantman in the New Testament parable seeking goodly pearls, and when he discovered the `pearl of great price,’ sold everything for it.

Instead of being restless, Israel should ‘hope ‘ in God, now and always.

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