Psalms 131:1 - Meaning and Application

There are two things that will comfort us here.

First, there is the comfort of knowing our own integrity. This was David’s joy. Even though people criticized him and he faced many temptations, his own heart could testify that he had walked humbly with his God. He was not aiming for a high position, and he did not want to make a great show in the world. If God had ordered it that way, he could have been content to spend all his days in the sheepfolds, as he did in the beginning.

David’s brother once angrily accused him of pride (1 Samuel 17:28), but the charge was false. God, who searches the heart, knew that David had no proud opinion of himself or his own worth. “Lord, my heart is not proud.” Humble believers cannot think so highly of themselves as other people may think. They do not fall in love with their own image, and they do not boast about their own progress or success. When the love of God rules the heart, it pushes down selfish pride.

God also knew that David did not give proud looks. “My eyes are not haughty.” He did not look with envy on those above him, and he did not look down on those below him. A proud heart usually shows itself in a proud face (Proverbs 6:17), but the humble tax collector would not even lift his eyes. David also did not spend himself on matters above his station, things too great or too high for him. He did not chase after speculation that was beyond his reach, or try to be wise beyond what is written. To know God and our duty is high enough learning for us.

He also did not involve himself in affairs too big for him. He kept sheep, and he never set himself up as a politician. He also did not act as if he were a soldier, for when his brothers went to war, he stayed home to watch the sheep. It is wise, and it will be our honor, to stay within our own place and not meddle in things that do not belong to us. People in high positions, and people of learning, must not busy themselves with matters too great for human beings. People in low stations, or with ordinary abilities, must also not pretend to work in areas that are beyond them. Those who reach for honors that are not theirs will end in shame.

Second, there is the comfort of being settled in whatever condition God places us in. David says, “I have calmed and quieted myself like a child that is weaned from its mother” (Psalm 131:2). He had not proudly reached for the kingdom, and once God appointed it to him, he did not behave with arrogance toward others. He also did not grow restless trying to get the crown before God’s set time. He was as humble as a small child, easy to guide and not reaching for great things. He was completely at God’s disposal, like a child in its mother’s arms.

He was also as free from clinging to worldly honor and wealth as a weaned child is from the breast. The heart naturally wants worldly things the way a baby wants milk. It grows attached to them, cries for them, and thinks it cannot live without them. But by God’s grace, a renewed soul is weaned from these things. Hard experiences in God’s providence often help with that weaning. The child may be cross and unhappy for a little while, thinking everything is lost when the breast is removed. But soon it forgets its grief and settles into a new way of feeding.

In the same way, a gracious soul quiets itself when it loses what it loved or does not get what it hoped for. It learns to be content with God and the grace of his covenant when created things fail. When our condition is not what we wanted, we must bring our mind to our condition. Then we are at peace with ourselves and with those around us, like a weaned child.

From this, David calls all God’s people to trust the Lord. “Let Israel hope in the Lord, now and forever” (Psalm 131:3). David could wait patiently and quietly for the crown God had promised him, but Israel, who loved him, might have been tempted to act too soon in his favor. So he calms them as well and tells them to hope in the Lord, because in due time they would see a good change. It is good to hope and quietly wait for the Lord’s salvation.