Psalm 131. Keyword: Disciplined, Psalm 132. Keyword: Discovery

by L.C. Shattock, Leicester, U.K. | Category: The Songs Of Ascents | Jul 1982

This short Psalm is the expression of a man who has learned to be content without the things for which ambition might crave. This submission of spirit

is the result of refining processes in which the soul has been disciplined under the government of God. There is turbulence in life into which men plunge in proud arrogance, feverishly pursuing their ambitious way, often aiming at that which lies beyond them to attain.

David was taking stock of himself when he spoke these words. Taking stock, not as before his fellow men, but as he saw himself in the presence of his God. "Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty". What the heart is, the eyes will show. "Haughty" means "proud" and "disdainful", having a high opinion of oneself, leading to a contempt of others which, in outward expression, will reflect itself in "lofty eyes". What a contradiction in terms is the phrase "a proud Christian"! No one can be a Christian in character and proud in spirit. A Christian owns as Master and Lord the One who said "Learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart" (Matt. 11:29). "Neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too wonderful for me". The soul has progressed to a sense of true values and they lie not in the things which proud men seek. Godliness with contentment is great gain (1 Tim. 6:6), and when this plain of living is reached, when the soul is rested-quieted in calm and confident trust in God-then the things which men count as important recede and are recognized as "lesser things" to be abandoned in case they impede our assent in holy living.

David the king, the leader of men, the valiant warrior, it is he who speaks of being quieted as a weaned child with his mother. As a weaned child? Is this soul progress? Notice it is not "be a weaned child", but "like a weaned child". This is spiritual maturity in keeping with the words of the Lord Jesus: "Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 18:4). In God's things, humility is greatness.

"Like a weaned child". A discipline of denial is always involved in weaning; ultimately the child rests, content to be without that for which it once craved. The discipline is the method, the quietness is the result. The remedy for restlessness is quiet trust. That is why the Psalmist calls to Israel, "Hope in the LORD from this time forth and for evermore". The past warrants such confidence, the present demands it, the future will justify it.

Psalm 132. Keyword: Discovery

The last three songs which complete "The Songs of Ascents" are "fellowship songs": fellowship with God, fellowship with one another, and fellowship in worship and service. Fellowship lacks spiritual character unless it stems from fellowship with God. It is about this upward fellowship that Psalm 132 speaks. John the apostle tells us that fellowship with one another takes its meaning from the fact that "our fellowship is with the Father, and

with His Son Jesus Christ" (1 John 1:3).

David's burden to build a house for God is remembered by the singer. "Remember David's affliction", the Psalmist says. "Affliction" in this sense means "humblings", "burden", "troubles". David was burdened to do something that was right and that lay on his soul like a deep longing desire, a desire to build a habitation for God. David made a vow, and he made it to "the Mighty one of Jacob". It was Jacob who awoke to the wonder of God dwelling on earth. He saw in vision a ladder which reached to heaven and upon which angels ascended and descended. This symbolized communication with heaven from the place on earth. So he called the place "Bethel" "the house of God" (Gen. 28:19). David's vow was that he would not take rest or sleep until a place for the Lord was found-a habitation for the mighty one of Jacob.

David, as we know, while praised for his intention, was not allowed to build the Temple. Yet to him was given the great joy of bringing back the Ark of the Lord to its resting place after it had remained away from God's Tabernacle. Captured by the enemies of the Lord in days of departed glory, when every man in Israel did that which was right in his own eyes, it was ultimately recovered from the Philistines 'only to remain for many years away from its true resting place. The Ark was the symbol of the divine Presence. Above it was the mercy seat, the place of communication between God and his covenanted people. Its significance in the Old Testament testimony in Tabernacle and in Temple was tremendous. Its loss is reflected in the tragic story of Eli and the wife of Phinehas, causing the death of both and the tragic naming of Ichabod to show that God was no longer with His people. Yet, says the Psalmist, the day dawned when the glory returned, "we heard of it ... " (i.e. the Ark), "we found it ...." First, the news of the Ark's location was heard, then it was actually discovered. "We heard of it in Ephrathah: we found it in the field of the wood". From that moment David discovered the restored purpose of God and "glory returned". Many years afterwards, "Andrew ... findeth first his own brother Simon" and declared to him, "We have found the Messiah" (John 1:40-41); and where did the Christ come from, as far as earthly location was concerned? Was it not Ephrathah? of which Gen. 35:19 tells us, "the same is Bethlehem". The two words are reversed by Micah the prophet who said, "But thou, Bethlehem Ephrathah ... Out of thee shall One come forth unto Me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting" (Micah 5:2).

In the discovery of the divine purpose the pilgrim Psalmist says, "Arise, 0 LORD, into Thy resting place; Thou, and the Ark of Thy strength". The answer of God to the Psalmist's prayer is exceedingly abundant above all

that he asked or thought. Verses 1-13 express David's yearning and desire. Verses 14-18 show how God answered them. "Arise, 0 LORD into Thy resting place ... The LORD bath chosen Zion; He hath desired it for His habitation. This is my resting place for ever: here will I dwell". "I will abundantly bless will satisfy her poor". In response to the request, "Let Thy priests be clothed with righteousness" comes the assurance "Her priests also will I clothe with salvation" which is more than righteousness, although it includes it. "Let Thy saints shout for joy" provokes the answer, "her saints shall shout aloud for joy".

David's sons failed and God's vow to establish his seed upon the throne was modified as far as they were concerned. Yet God said, "I will make the horn of David to bud". The strength of David's line is in great David's greater Son. The glorious moment will dawn when King Messiah will reign and every knee to Him will bow and every tongue confess Him as Lord to the honour and glory of God.

In this dispensation also, the purpose of God became obscured, lost in the imposition of vain tradition and false doctrine. Yet God has awakened renewed discovery of His purpose. Do we share the vision of its reality and value the truth recovered?

L.C. Shattock, Leicester, U.K. | Jul 1982
The Songs Of Ascents