Heart of a Psalmist - Worshipping Christ Through The Psalms

and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people (Israel) from their sins.” (Mt. 1:21) The free- dom from sin spoken about in this psalm ‘means complete and final redemption, above all, in the genuinely New Testament manner, spiritual redemption.’ 6 So this psalm, nestled in the staircase of the ‘Songs of Ascent’, helps to prepare the way for the coming free-pardon offered by Jesus Christ as taught in the New Testament.

1 Spence 2 Kraus 3 Scroggie 4 Keil & Delitzsch 5 Kraus 6 Keil & Delitzsch

PSALM 131: MY HEART IS NOT PROUD The Song of the Quieted Soul

This psalm, the third of four ‘Songs of Ascent’ attributed to King David (122, 124, 131, 133), is the 2nd shortest chapter in the Book of Psalms and sings of the soul who finds full contentment by over- coming worldly desires and hoping in the Lord. Pride is the disease of kings and here David, the great- est King of Israel, shows the nation how to remain humble before God. This small song is a window into the spirit and soul of the man who was after God’s own heart. It is outlined by three distinct thoughts pre- sented in the verses:

I I DON’T CONCERN MYSELF - 1- Ignoring the Illusion of Greatness II I HAVE QUIETED MYSELF - 2- Imposing Discipline on the Soul III ISRAEL, HOPE IN THE LORD - 3- Influencing others to Hope

INTRODUCTION:

“A Song for the ascent to Jerusalem. A psalm of David.”

(See the Introduction to the Songs of Ascent).

While many scholars assign the authorship to all the Songs of Ascent to the period after the Jews return from Babylon, there can be no objection to assuming this is a composition of David, the ‘Sweet Psalmist of Israel.’ It reflects the humble heart of the most dynamic King of history.

I

I DON’T CONCERN MYSELF - 1- Ignoring the Illusion of Greatness

“Lord, my heart is not proud; my eyes are not haughty. I don’t concern myself with matters too great or awesome for me.” (1)

David is asserting his own humility in an honest, private song/prayer before the Lord, he is not de- claring this ‘proudly’ before others. His heart has not desired everything that his eyes have seen and his eyes are seeing only what his heart is instructing them to look at. This is a person whose soul is under the direction of the Lord, the Holy Spirit: “For the world offers only the lust for physical pleasure, the lust for everything we see, and pride in our possessions. Theses are not from the Father.” (1 Jn. 2:16) Pride is the common disease of the soul affecting all of mankind both rich and poor. It is a particular problem of those in leadership positions: 1. King Uzziah of Judah- “But when he had become powerful, he also became proud which led to his downfall.” ( 2 Chron. 26:16) 2. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon- “But when his heart and mind were hardened with pride, he was brought down from his royal throne and stripped of his glory…until he learned that the Most High God rules the kingdoms of the world and appoints anyone he desires to rule over them.” (Dan. 5:20, 21)

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