Psalm 131
A song of ascents. Of David.
1 My heart is not proud, Lord,
my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters
or things too wonderful for me.
- A song of ascents
o We know these were the 15 songs sang on the way to meet in the Lord’s house in Jerusalem
o Israel had to travel up to Jerusalem three times per year to celebrate
§ Passover (saved by the blood of the lamb)
§ Pentecost (the law given 50-days after leaving Egypt; Holy Spirit poured out 50-days after Christ died and rose again – fulfilling the law)
§ Tabernacle - temporary tents; God provided for the Jews for 40-years in the desert and He still provides for us today
- Of David
o David means “beloved of God”
o These songs are for you and me too
§ You are beloved of God
§ He loves you!
- My heart is not proud, Lord
o This important because pride is a matter of the heart
o Pride means you are proud of yourself and what you can do not what God did or does (it means your focus is on the wrong person)
§ You need to change your focus from yourself to God
§ God hates pride
§ Pride always comes before a fall
o Here the Psalmist declares his heart is not proud (not self-centered)
§ This means his heart is right – it is God centered
§ Serving others not being served!
§ Bestowing honor and praise on others not lavishing in it yourself
§ Building up others not yourself (pour yourself out; Outbless others today)
- My eyes are not haughty
o The eyes are the window into your soul
o Much can be learned or understood when you look into someone’s eyes
o Haughty means “high eyes” or “lifted up eyes” – it is the idea that someone looks down upon others as if less worthy or intelligent or valuable.
o It is the ultimate disdain of others or God as it assumes the highest position in heaven in hearth (instead of God)
o God hates pride and prideful eyes seem to be the pinnacle of such arrogance
o The psalmist says his eyes are not haughty
o This mans his eyes are the opposite of haughty
o This means he does not look down upon others but looks up
§ Meaning he holds other in higher esteem than himself
§ This virtue grows from the heart of humility & gratitude before God & man
§ It is the idea that there is nothing in me of value except God’s spirit & His word by grace
2 But I have calmed and quieted myself,
I am like a weaned child with its mother;
like a weaned child I am content.
- But (this word means in contrast or instead)
- I have calmed and quieted myself
o This is what we all need to do
o Calm and quiet yourself! Calm down and don’t thinks so highly of yourself.
§ Quiet yourself means stop speaking boastful things about yourself
§ This is the opposite of what prideful people do
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