Reflections on Psalms 131

 Psalms 131(Contemporary English Version)

1. (A song by David for worship.) I am not conceited, LORD, and I don't waste my time on impossible schemes.
   
2. But I have learned to feel safe and satisfied, just like a young child on its mother's lap.
   
3. People of Israel, you must trust the LORD now and forever.

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David had learned an important lesson that he shared in this psalm. It can be summed up in this way: "Quite trying to play God!" This is the core issue with pride which is essentially independence from God. It is assuming to have the answers or to be able to find the answers to life's difficult questions. Questions that only God can answer. The assumption of arriving at the answers to these questions inevitably leads to the rejection of God. This is extreme pride which holds oneself above God assuming to know better than Him.

David said, "I do not get involved with things too great or too difficult for me." (131:1) He humbled himself enough to acknowledge that there were some things best left to God, trusting Him to have the answers. In doing so, he found peace and calm, and his soul was quieted. He likened it to a child who is calmed when comforted by its mother. The one who refuses to turn loose of the unanswerable questions and leave them in God's hands, trusting them with Him, never finds this calm, this quieting of the soul.

David concluded with a word to the wise for his countrymen - "Israel, put your hope in the LORD, both now and forever."