Context No. 3603 of 4322 · Psalms
Context · Reflection
Psalms 131:1-3: in context
1LORD, my heart isn’t arrogant, nor my eyes lofty; nor do I concern myself with great matters, or things too wonderful for me. 2Surely I have stilled and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with his mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me. 3Israel, hope in the LORD, from this time forward and forever more.
This short psalm is a picture of humble contentment and rest. My heart is not lifted up, the psalmist says, my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. He has let go of proud ambition and the anxious need to understand and control everything.
And he describes the resulting peace with a tender image: I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me. A weaned child no longer frets and cries for the breast; it simply rests contentedly against its mother, wanting nothing but her presence. That is the soul at peace with God, no longer anxiously grasping, but resting in trust. There is deep rest available in humility, in ceasing to strive after what is beyond us and simply resting in God, like a child in its mother's arms. And the psalm ends in quiet hope: O Israel, hope in the LORD.
Have I calmed and quieted my soul, letting go of proud ambition and anxious striving, to rest content in God like a weaned child with its mother?
Sources
- Psalm 131:1: "LORD, my heart isn't arrogant, nor my eyes lofty; nor do I concern myself with great matters, or things too wonderful for me."
- Psalm 131:2: "Surely I have stilled and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with his mother."
- Psalm 131:3: "Israel, hope in the LORD, from this time forward and forever more."