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A SONG OF DEGREES OF DAVID
SATURDAY, JUNE 8
Psalm 131:1-3
2 Thessalonians 2:15-17
 
“… he that humbleth himself
shall be exalted.”
 
A SONG OF DEGREES OF DAVID
 
This Psalm written by David is based on his own experience. Spurgeon says he is the author and the subject of it. Many incidents in his life may be employed to illustrate it. Comparing all the Psalms to gems, we should liken this to a pearl. How beautifully it adorns the neck of patience.
 
Although it is one of the shortest Psalms, it is one of the longest to learn. It speaks of a young child, but it contains the experience of a man in Christ. Lowliness and humility are here seen in connection with a sanctified heart, a will subdued to the mind of God, and a hope looking to the Lord alone. Happy is the man who can without falsehood use these words as his own. For he can say with Jesus our Lord, “I am meek and lowly in heart” (Matt 11:29). And lowliness is one of the attainments of divine life. This Psalm is like a short ladder, but the thoughts rise to a great height: from deep humility to fixed confidence. One writer thinks that this is a song of the Jews who returned from Babylon with humbled hearts, weaned from their idols. At any rate, after any spiritual captivity, let it be the expression of our hearts.
 
The Psalmist had been upon his best behaviour (Ps 131:2), and had smoothed down the roughnesses of his self-will; by holy effort he had mastered his own spirit, so that towards God he was not rebellious, even as towards man he was not haughty. It is no easy thing to quiet yourself: sooner may a man calm the sea, or rule the wind, or tame a tiger, than quiet himself. We are clamorous, uneasy, petulant; and nothing but grace can make us quiet under afflictions, irritations, and disappointments.
 
To the weaned child his mother is his comfort though she has denied him comfort. It is a blessed mark of growth out of spiritual infancy when we can forego the joys which once appeared to be essential, and can find our solace in Him who denies them to us: then we behave manfully, and every childish complaint is hushed.
(Spurgeon)
 
THOUGHT: (Read Psalm 131:1.)
PRAYER: Father, I pray for Israel, that it will hope in Thee.

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