Download 1 Psalm 131 August 5, 2012am Songs of Ascents The Pilgrim

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Psalm 131
Songs of Ascents
PS1220
August 5, 2012am
The Pilgrim Psalms
“RESTING IN GOD”
INTRODUCTION: Psalm 131 is one of the finest little jewels in all of Scripture.
1. …and one of the shortest Psalms:
a. Only Psalm 117 is shorter (the shortest Psalm: 2 verses)
b. Psalm 131, 133, and 134 each have 3 verses
c. The Songs of Ascents are all short Psalms, except for Psalm 132
2. C. H. Spurgeon: “One of the shortest Psalms to read but one of the longest to learn”
3. This Psalm is one of four Pilgrim Psalms written by David.
a. Most modern scholars doubt that
b. They see the Songs of Ascents as post-exilic Psalms; i.e., later than 538 BC, well over 430 years
after King David’s death.
c. However, the second temple (post-exilic) Levites assembled and arranged the Psalter after the
exile, but that does not mean all the Psalms were written in post-exilic times.
d. One was written by Moses, two by Solomon, many by David – all prior to the exile.
e. The Psalter was arranged in post-exilic times
f. So, the Levites chose to include in this collection known as the Songs of Ascents (Pilgrim
Psalms), four of David’s Psalms written 4 centuries prior.
4. When did David write Psalm 131? What was the occasion or the context of this Psalm? We don’t
know.
a. But a good guess is after David brought the Ark of the Covenant up to Jerusalem
b. And David danced before the Lord with all his might. And David was wearing a linen ephod. So
David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting and with the
sound of the horn.
As the ark of the Lord came into the city of David, Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the
window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, and she despised him in her
heart. And they brought in the ark of the Lord and set it in its place, inside the tent that David
had pitched for it. And David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the Lord. And
when David had finished offering the burnt offerings and the peace offerings, he blessed the
people in the name of the Lord of hosts and distributed among all the people, the whole
multitude of Israel, both men and women, a cake of bread, a portion of meat, and a cake of
raisins to each one. Then all the people departed, each to his house.
And David returned to bless his household. But Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet
David and said, “How the king of Israel honored himself today, uncovering himself today
before the eyes of his servants' female servants, as one of the vulgar fellows shamelessly
uncovers himself!” And David said to Michal, “It was before the Lord, who chose me above
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your father and above all his house, to appoint me as prince over Israel, the people of the
Lord—and I will celebrate before the Lord. I will make myself yet more contemptible than this,
and I will be abased in your eyes. But by the female servants of whom you have spoken, by them
I shall be held in honor.”(2 Samuel 6:14-22)
c. So David wrote a Hymn of Humility
O Lord, my heart is not lifted up;
my eyes are not raised too high;
I do not occupy myself with things
too great and too marvelous for me.
But I have calmed and quieted my soul,
like a weaned child with its mother;
like a weaned child is my soul within me.
O Israel, hope in the Lord
from this time forth and forevermore. (Ps. 131)
5. The second temple Levites (priests) included Psalm 131 in the Pilgrim Psalms because of its literary
and theological connection to the previous Psalm (130).
a. Both say, O Israel, hope in the Lord…” (Psalm 130:7 and Psalm 131:3)
b. They are connected theologically: The forgiveness and grace of God (Psalm 130) causes us to
be humble before God (Psalm 131)
c. James M. Boice: Psalms: vol. 3; p. 1145.
Psalm 130 was about the grace of God’s salvation, a grace manifested apart from any human
works. This Psalm is about humble trust in God, which should follow for those who have been
saved. In this sense, it is a pilgrim Psalm after all, but the pilgrimage involved is now a
spiritual journey in grace.
6. Here is a beautiful little Psalm about humble reliance upon God.
7. It is difficult to imagine that anyone could come into the presence of God and remain proud. But we do
it all the time…every Sunday morning!
8. Here is further proof of the depth of human depravity a. Pride in the presence of God
b. The sin of Lucifer in God’s presence in heaven
“How you are fallen from heaven,
O Day Star, son of Dawn!
How you are cut down to the ground,
you who laid the nations low!
You said in your heart,
‘I will ascend to heaven;
above the stars of God
I will set my throne on high;
I will sit on the mount of assembly
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in the far reaches of the north;
I will ascend above the heights of the clouds;
I will make myself like the Most High.’
(Isaiah 14:12-14)
c. The sin of Adam and Eve in God’s presence in Eden
Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made.
He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?”
And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God
said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you
touch it, lest you die.’” But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God
knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good
and evil.” (Genesis 3:1-5)
d. The sin of humanity: “God is opposed to the proud but gives grace to the humble.
i. Toward the scorners he is scornful,
but to the humble he gives favor.
(Prov. 3:34)
ii. But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to
the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from
you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners,
and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your
laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the
Lord, and he will exalt you. (James 4:6-10)
iii. Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you,
with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the
humble.”
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time
he may exalt you… (1 Peter 5:5-6)
9. This Psalm is a very, very, very un-American Psalm!
a. John Calvin: Commentaries: 6: p. 138.
In this he teaches us a very useful lesson, and one by which we should be rule\ds in life—to be
contented with the lot which God has marked out for us, to consider what He calls us to, and
not to aim at fashioning our own lot—to be moderate in our desires, to avoid entering upon
rash undertakings, and to confine ourselves cheerfully within our own sphere, instead of
attempting great things.
b. The American culture drips with pride, ambition and boasting – read the bumper stickers!
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I’m the parent of a terrific kid! (Not really; your child is precious, much loved, but
average!)
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My child is an honor roll student at __________ School. (Good; but how’d he score on
standardized national tests?)
•
Phi Beta Kappa (as if your IQ were your doing?)
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•
The way schools boast about scholarships awarded, honors given, school who offered, etc.
(but how do these 18 year olds do in life, after college years are over?)
c. Paul exhorted us: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 1:31).”
d. Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in
his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he
understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and
righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.” (Jeremiah 9:23-24)
10. Ours is an age of ambition: lofty goals, big plans, large “visions” of what we are going to do,
accomplish, win.
a. Eugene Peterson: A Long Obedience in the Same Direction; p. 147.
Our culture encourages and rewards ambition without qualification. We are surrounded by a
way of life in which betterment is understood as expansion, as acquisition, as fame. Everyone
wants to get more. To be on top, no matter what it is the top of, is admired. There is nothing
recent about the temptation. It is the oldest sin in the book, the one that got Adam thrown out of
the garden and Lucifer tossed out of heaven. What is fairly new about it is the general
admiration and approval that it receives.
b. Ambition is related to aspiration as pride is related to confidence or bragging is related to
praise.
i. Ambition wants to make a name for itself; aspiration seeks to glorify God.
ii. Ambition desires to become a great man; aspiration is content to be a godly man.
iii. Ambition craves success for her kids; aspiration cultivates sanctification for her
children.
iv. Ambition is never content and never at rest; aspiration finds an end in knowing and
resting in God.
c. Eugene Peterson: A Long Obedience in the Same Direction; p. 147.
Ambition is aspiration gone crazy. Aspiration is the channeled, creative energy that moves us
to growth in Christ, shaping goals in the Spirit. Ambition takes these same energies for growth
and development and uses them to make something tawdry and cheap.
11. Here is a Psalm of aspiration, not ambition.
a. The pilgrim resting in God and not restless in his ambitious plans
b. The 12th step in the process of discipleship in the worshipping community
c. A Psalm of fulfillment (Psalms 130-134)
i. Psalm 130 – Forgiveness and Grace
ii. Psalm 131 – Resting in God
12. Eugene Peterson: A Long Obedience in the Same Direction; p. 147.
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a. Being a Christian means accepting the terms of creation, accepting God as our maker and
redeemer, and growing day by day into an increasingly glorious creature in Christ, developing
joy, experiencing love, maturing by peace.
b. O Lord, my heart is not lifted up;
my eyes are not raised too high;
I do not occupy myself with things
too great and too marvelous for me.
But I have calmed and quieted my soul,
like a weaned child with its mother;
like a weaned child is my soul within me.
O Israel, hope in the Lord
from this time forth and forevermore. (Ps. 131)
13. This little jewel of Christian contentment speaks about three things in its three short verses:
a. Humility (v. 1)
b. Contentment (v. 2)
c. Hope (v. 3)
14. Joseph Exell: The Biblical Illustrator: Psalms; vol. 5; p. 240.
In this brief Psalm there are three different states of mind described. The first is humility: the psalmist
disclaims for himself all pride and ambition (ver. 1). The second is tranquility. The psalmist claimed
for himself that he had attained to complete spiritual quiet, to perfect rest of heart (ver. 3). The
psalmist claims for himself that he has attained that which in other Psalms he longed for, and prayed
for, and chided himself because he could not get. Here is the fulfillment of the promise, “Thou wilt
keep him In perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee.”
I. THE CHRISTIAN IS CALLED TO HUMILITY BEFORE GOD (Psalm 131:1)
O Lord, my heart is not lifted up;
my eyes are not raised too high;
I do not occupy myself with things
too great and too marvelous for me. (Psalm 131:1)
1. David was a shepherd boy who became the king – the shepherd of Israel – and he never outgrew his
humble origins or humility of soul.
a. That is why God chose him to be king!
b. But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature,
because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward
appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)
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I have found David, my servant;
with my holy oil I have anointed him,
so that my hand shall be established with him;
my arm also shall strengthen him.
(Psalm 89:20-21)
And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and
said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’
(Acts 13:22)
c. David had this humble awe of God all his life –
O Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory above the heavens.
Out of the mouth of babies and infants,
you have established strength because of your foes,
to still the enemy and the avenger.
When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
what is man that you are mindful of him,
and the son of man that you care for him? (Psalm 8:1-4)
2. David says that he has learned, the hard way, to be humble before God –
a. His heart is not lifted up (with self-adoration)
b. His eyes are not raised too high (with the look of pride)
c. His mind is not occupied with things too great and too marvelous for me (with arrogant
ambition) that would bring him fortune, fame, and power.
3. David does not think more highly of himself than he ought to think. He possesses a Godward
perspective of himself.
4. Elmer A. Leslie: The Psalms Translated and Interpreted in the Light of Hebrew Life and Worship; p.
410.
The psalmist, speaking directly to God, renounces any arrogance, price, or pretentiousness in his
spirit. He lays no claim to great things and aspires to nothing beyond his own abilities. Yet not always
was it so. There was a time when he was proud and ambitious when he pretended to be what he was
not, and when he overreached himself. But now it is different. The psalmist has come to an inner calm
and poise of soul. He has arrived there, partly, to be sure, by renunciation of his selfish, ambitious
aims, and certainly in some measure by the sternest self-discipline, but chiefly by the change of center
in his life from self to God.
5. Once David fell into sin with Bathsheba, experienced the plundering of his family, lost his throne for a
season, and fell from favor in the eyes of Israel – a people who once idolized him – he was never proud
again.
6. You and I would be much, much humbler if we reminded ourselves daily how God sees us!
a. If we recalled our inner sins and proud hearts
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b. If we remembered that our eyes do not see as God does
c. If we reconciled ourselves to the truth that life is bigger than we can ever understand or manage.
7. Illustration: I have a friend who lives in his own world of comparisons. His own caste system of
beings –
a. He “ranks”, everybody into
i. The important people (of course, he ranks in them)
ii. The secondary people (I live here)
iii. The masses: the “people on the street”
iv. Those who are “losers” (those who’ve disappointed him, disagreed with him, opposed
him. They get no chance at redemption).
b. He’s let me know, on numerous occasions, that he belongs to the important people and that I am
a secondary person.
c. He is a sad man: cold marriage, wounded wife, alienated kids, not one intimate friend, fearful
all the time about his “image”
d. My friend has not yet learned to see himself as God does –
i. A sinner in need of mercy (a wretch)
ii. A loved-one redeemed at the cross (a saint)
iii. A life-long project of the Holy Spirit (a “piece of work”)
e. …and, my friend is unhappy. I seldom see him smile and rarely laugh…
f. His main concern is his unfulfilled ambitions!
g. I’d love to love him, help him, affirm him, but I can’t – I’m not allowed into his strata of life.
h. His pride keeps people away from him and God at a distance.
8. The humble man learns the freedom of seeing himself the way God does, and it liberates him from the
cruel taskmaster of ambition.
9. Alexander MacLaren: Psalms: vol. 3; p. 342.
The haughtiness which the psalmist disclaims has its seat in the heart and its manifestation in
supercilious glances. The lowly heart looks higher than the proud one does, for it lifts its eyes to the
hills, and fixes them on Jehovah, as a slave on his Lord. Lofty thoughts of self naturally breed
ambitions which seek great spheres and would intermeddle with things above reach. The singer does
not refer to questions beyond solution by human faculty, but to worldly ambitions aiming at prominence
and position. He aims low, as far as earth is concerned; but he aims high, for his mark is in the
heavens.
10. And…because he is humble, he is also contented…
II. THE CHRISTIAN IS CALLED TO CONTENTMENT IN CHRIST (Psalm 131:2)
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But I have calmed and quieted my soul,
like a weaned child with its mother;
like a weaned child is my soul within me. (Psalm 131:2)
1. David likens himself to a weaned child – a baby no longer suckling at the mother’s breast, sitting
quietly, contentedly and happily in mother’s lap.
2. There is no more obnoxious creature on earth than a suckling baby who wants mother’s warm milk.
a. He bawls like a calf – everybody has to hear that he’s unhappy and hungry.
b. He demands his feelings irrespective of man’s convenience – everyone else should defer to him.
c. He merely wants to eat and have Mom or Dad deal with the consequences – milk and dirty
Pampers are the two parameters of his selfish life.
3. Illustration: Two years ago I was in Mississippi hunting, and one evening I was in a shooting house
when a yearling appeared out of the woods, into a clearing, at sunset –
a. A yearling is a fawn, without spots and born the previous summer
b. This little “button buck” (male) wanted the doe who was his mother
c. So he bawled and bawled (like a lamb bleating)
d. Meanwhile – running off any buck in the area
e. I got so irritated, I said to myself: “Aw, shut up! Enough already!” (and I raised my gun to
shoot)
f. At that moment, the mother doe emerged and nuzzled him fondly. He rubbed up against her –
in a most tender moment – and quieted down.
g. I lowered my gun and thought about this Psalm.
But I have calmed and quieted my soul,
like a weaned child with its mother;
like a weaned child is my soul within me. (Psalm 131:2)
4. There is nothing more precious than a cooing toddler – a weaned child – nestled in mom’s lap and
nuzzling up against her: The picture of contentment.
5. That is what we are…or at least should be: We are God’s children through Jesus Christ who’ve learned
the secret of contentment – Jesus will provide for us all we need to be safe, secure, and sustained, in
this life and in the next.
a. May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the
knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to
us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of
the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful
desire. (2 Peter 1:2-4)
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b. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I
have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all
things through him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:12-13)
c. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. (Philippians 4:19-20)
d. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which
surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 4:6-7)
6. The prideful soul is always self-sufficient and never satisfied, never content.
7. The person who trusts in Jesus Christ rests in His riches. That soul is reliant upon Christ for
everything, and is always and ever content.
8. Illustration: Last fall, I took my five-year-old grandson to Ohio Stadium for the first time. We toured
the campus, ate a pizza and played on the oval. He got to shake Brutus the Buckeye’s hand, the
cheerleaders fussed over him, an Ohio State Patrolman showed him all his guns and gear, he got hot
dogs, popcorn, coke, a Buckeye cap and miniature scarlet and gray football, and watched the Band
perform the “incomparable Script Ohio”…
9. ...then, as the Buckeyes lined up to kick off, he said to me, “Pampa, I want to go home. I miss my
Mommy!”
10. I said to myself, “What? You have all THIS and you ‘miss your mommy’!” (I forgot: he was only 5
years old)
11. We can easily forget that all THIS stuff in life can never replace resting in Jesus Christ and
experiencing His grace and goodness – the only thing that could ever bring us contentment.
12. By the way: He did last until half-time. The Buckeyes led 35-0. He said goodbye to 6 highway
patrolman, stopped at the Dairy Queen, then went home to “Mommy.”
III. THE CHRISTIAN IS CALLED TO THE HOPE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (Psalm 131:3)
O Israel, hope in the Lord
from this time forth and forevermore. (Psalm 131:3)
1. This life of humble contentedness brings with it great hope.
2. David’s life was ungirded by a living hope that did not disappoint him. God worked throughout
David’s life to meet his greatest aspiration: A home in heaven!
3. Had David given himself over to prideful ambition or lost his life pursuing things that could never
satisfy him, he would have missed God, salvation, godliness, and heaven altogether!
4. His life would have been wasted, unfulfilled and eternally sorrowful – just as Jesus warned us:
a. And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life
does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” (Luke 12:15)
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b. But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have
prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich
toward God.” (Luke 12:20-21)
c. And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. (Luke 12:29)
d. Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. (Luke
12:32)
e. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? (Mark 8:36)
5. Our eternal hope is in Jesus Christ – not only in what He has done for us in the past, on the cross, but
also what He is now doing for us in this world.
a. He has given to us the Holy Spirit to live in us
b. The Spirit is at work in our lives to make us like Christ and fit for heaven
c. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the
day of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:6)
d. And we live in hope and in anticipation of what we will someday become: glorious!
e. See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and
so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we
are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he
appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes
in him purifies himself as he is pure. (1 John 3:1-3)
f. Did you hear that? Hope in our perfection!
And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. (1 John 3:3)
6. Paul the apostle reminds us that it is into this hope that we were saved, and that this hope will never let
us down!
…and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts
through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. (Romans 5:5 NASB)
7. Someday, God will give you all you aspire to – greatness, glory, goodness, riches, honor, joy, unending
life and unimaginable bliss…
…not because you pursued your worldly ambition
…not because you belong to the top strata of important people
…not because you achieved a measure of success and wealth that brought contentment
…but because you humbled yourself – every day – before God as a sinner in need
…because you trusted in Jesus Christ to save you and you rested in the lap of His grace
…because the Holy Spirit did a lifetime of great work in you to prepare you for heaven – even
despite yourself!
8. John Calvin was correct: “…those who yield themselves to the influence of ambition will soon lose
themselves in a labyrinth of perplexity…
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We see how God confounds the proud and boasted enterprises of the children of this world. They run
the full course of their wild career, they turn the earth upside down at their pleasure, and put forth
their hand in every direction; they are filled with complacency at the thought of their own talents and
industry, and in, a moment, when all their plans have been fully formed, they are entirely overthrown,
because there is no solidity in them. While those who, like David, submit themselves to God, keeping in
their own sphere, moderate in their desires, will enjoy a life of tranquility and assurance.
CONCLUSION: I have been living in this Psalm 131 throughout this year…
1. I have just gone through 12 months of prayer and questioning about my life, my ambitions, my aspirations,
my contentment.
a. Last summer, a brother asked if he could submit my name to become president of Covenant
College. I said “no.”
b. Then I was approached about taking the job of Coordinator of CE&P in Atlanta. I said “no.”
c. I was asked to become the President of the CIU Alumni Advisory Leadership Council. I said
“not now.”
d. Then Covenant College asked me to serve on the Board of Trustees. I said, “Yes, if I’m elected.”
(and I was appointed so by the General Assembly)
e. I was approached about becoming A Seminary President. I have decided to decline the honor.
f. Finally, some men wanted to nominate me to become the 46th Moderator of the PCA. I said, “I’m
honored but no thanks.” But they did so anyway.
2. I have a covenant with the Lord: Whenever an offer to change calls comes along – large or small – I will
pray about it and seek the counsel of my wife and friends. I did so with all 6 of these opportunities. Each
time, I said, “Lord, it’s up to you!”
3. I said ‘no’ to presidencies and coordinators because I am deeply contented where I am as Senior Pastor of
Christ Covenant Church.
a. I love you people and I love doing life with you.
b. I love the pastors, staff, and leaders of our church.
c. I like Charlotte – It’s no Columbus, Ohio – but it’s “home” for Jane and me for now.
d. I believe God is at work both in me and through me, right here, right now, in this church.
4. But…I am also aware of some other things –
a. I’d be a disaster as a College President.
b. I’d be ineffective as the CE&P leader of the PCA.
c. I’d be distracted, at this time, as a Seminary President.
d. I’d be unfruitful anywhere except where God wants me to be.
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5. I have no worldly ambitions. I have only these spiritual aspirations:
a. To grow in godliness as a man, husband, father, grandfather and pastor
b. To develop a godly congregation here at Christ Covenant Church
c. To serve God as a humble, contented, hopeful son in what He’s called me to do
d. For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid
with his fathers and saw corruption. (Acts 13:36)
6. I know myself. I trust my Savior. I love you. And I am happy to be who I am, where I am, in what I’m
doing. God has been good to me!