Psalm 131—This psalm
of David is the psalm of a humble man, one whose heart is not lifted up by
himself and one whose eyes are not raised too high. Instead of relying on
himself, David has calmed and quieted his soul with the knowledge of the LORD
and that all our hope is in the LORD from this time forth and forevermore.
Psalm 131 – David’s humble learned contentment in the LORD
This psalm is titled A
Song of Ascents. Of David. Commentators suggest two possible occasions for
its composition. The first may be when Saul hunted David, and David was repeatedly
accused of ambition for the throne of Israel. The second may be David’s in
response to his wife, Michal, when she accused him of being vulgar and
undignified after he danced in the procession of bringing the ark of the
covenant into Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:16-23).
Whatever the occasion was,
this short psalm is a beautiful denial of pride, arrogance, and selfish
ambition. “It is one of the shortest Psalms to read, but one of the longest to
learn. It speaks of a young child, but it contains the experience of a man in
Christ.
Vs. 1a David renounces pride and arrogance.
Vs. 2b (1b) David renounces selfish ambition.
Vs. 2 Contentment like a weaned child.
Vs. 3 Exhorting Israel to find the same contentment.[2]
Collect for Psalm 131: Lord Jesus, gentle and humble of heart, you
promised your kingdom to those who are like children. Never let pride reign in
our hearts, but let the Father’s compassion embrace all who willingly bear your
gentle yoke now and forever. [3]
[1] Lift High the Cross © Copyright Ed Riojas, Higher Things
[3] Collect for Psalm 131, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. II © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY
[4] ibid
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