Psalms 131:
Being Enlarged Through Lowliness and Submission

By Knowing Ourselves, We Are Humbled and Brought Low

Psalm 131 begins, "O Jehovah, my heart is not proud, nor are my eyes haughty; nor do I go about in things too great or too wondrous for me" (v. 1). When we come to this experience we have gained some maturity. In Psalm 128, the last psalm from the stage of enjoyment, we were likened to a vine tree and an olive tree. This means that our growth in life had a certain manifestation. Our labor was fruitful and productive. Wherever we went, people received help. People appreciated us, and may even have followed us. This seems quite glorious. However, when we are like this, there is the danger that we will think we are "somebody."

But then, in Psalm 129, we went through some plowing. We experienced affliction in our environment. The Lord cut us deeply so that life could grow even more. Soon afterward, in Psalm 130, we received light on our condition and saw who we really were. We realized that were not so great or so wonderful. Instead we were filled with iniquity. After receiving the plowing from the Lord's hand and the shining of the Lord's light, we can give the testimony here in Psalm 131: "O Jehovah, my heart is not proud, nor are my eyes haughty." In other words, we no longer think highly of ourselves.

We No Longer Desire to be Exercised in Great Matters

"Not only do we no longer consider ourselves so high, but we no longer look for great things in which to participate."

Furthermore, we can also testify, "Nor do I go about in things too great or too wondrous for me" (v. 1b). Not only do we no longer consider ourselves so high, but we no longer look for great things in which to participate. Suppose the Lord is moving dramatically in another country. This is a great matter, much greater than our local situation. If we are young in the Lord then once we hear about it we will immediately respond, "I am ready to go!" But after we see who we are in the Lord's light, then we are not so quick to respond. Instead we will pray and be restful. We can trust that the Lord will make it known to us if He wants us to go. When we receive the Lord's shining we become very careful. Because we see who we are, we do not trust ourselves. We learn not to "go about in things too great or too wondrous." We allow the Lord to lead us if we should be involved in something great that He is doing.

We Become As A Weaned Child, Submissive to the Lord

Psalm 131 continues, "Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me" (v. 2). Before a child is weaned, he is very demanding. He will cry for milk at any time. Once he is weaned, he becomes very restful. He knows that the milk will come, so he is quiet. For the psalmist to become like a weaned child means that he is now a quiet, restful person. He knows how to behave properly. He has calmed and quieted his soul.

Psalm 131 ends, "Hope in Jehovah, O Israel, from now and to eternity" (v. 3). When we read this verse we should have an abiding sense of worship. Now we are people with maturity. Our soul is like a weaned child, so that we are quiet and restful. We may not be so active, but we have a pure and simple desire to be one with the Lord. We enjoy submitting to Him. We are calm and restful in His presence and are available for His needs. Now we are able to properly care for the Lord's testimony. This concludes the stage of enlargement from the Psalms of Ascent. In the next and final stage we will see the full display of maturity.

Back to top

         

Do you have a question or comment about this message?

Long version of this message

To purchase the book Journey of Life; the Psalms of Ascent and Song of Songs