Psalm 131 GIVING UP

ON THE WAY UP (12)
Psalm 131    GIVING UP

A further sign of the growing maturity of the pilgrim is his humility. The use of the word "weaned" may seem to contradict this, but as it is placed in the context of his claim not to be haughty or to have lofty eyes, it will repay further consideration.

I have used the title "Giving up". My dictionary explanation of what it means to be weaned is "to be reconciled to the want of anything"; so the psalmist has learned to do without.

WHAT is more he has learned not to complain about it, but has quietened both his lips and his soul. The song is sung to the Lord alone. It is not an essay in self-congratulation but a simple assurance to the Lord of his state of heart as he journeys on his upward way.

THERE had been a period in his life when he could rightly expect to be carried and cared for, only needing to squall out in infantile and demanding protest in order to be petted and comforted. The Christian life can begin like that and alas, sometimes it can go on far too long in the same way. Those concerned expect every discomfort to be attended to and every prayer answered at their first appeal.

THE pilgrim discloses that a rather abrupt moment had occurred in his life, the soothing nourishment no longer being provided and the embracing arms giving place to an invitation to sit at the family table for his meals. From then on it was no use his crying out for milk or demanding that his mother should do everything for him; he had to reach out his own hands and learn to appropriate and masticate his food. All of which surely has a spiritual counterpart for every believer who is on the upward way. His joy in the Lord is not less but more. Like the weaned child keeping very close to the mother whom he has learned to look to, he simply continues the love relationship in a more understanding and responsible way.

BEING but recently weaned, he has not yet entered that adolescent period when everything is questioned: "Neither do I exercise myself in things too wonderful for me". It is a picture of happy contentment, this pilgrim with no complaints and no problems. He will go far on his journey.

NOW had this been fictional poetry, I imagine that this would have been very early on in the series of Songs of Ascents. It rather suggests an early stage of life and hints at immaturity. Interestingly enough it was David himself who composed this psalm. Far from describing immaturity, it sings of a most blessed and desirable condition of heart and soul. The one who is content to recognise his own littleness and ignorance in divine things and yet who chooses discipline and responsibility in his life of fellowship with the Lord is what a very true Israelite should be, and should go on being right into eternity. "From this time forth and for evermore".

WEANING or giving up does not in itself sound attractive, but in this case it seems to indicate a faith which is not always demanding and enquiring but content just to be stilled and quietened in the near presence of the Lord. Discipline and responsibility are to be the features of the man who is on the way up.