Q1. Psalm 131

[Lottie]

Q1. According to Psalm 131, just how does David quiet his inner person before the Lord? What are the elements mentioned in this psalm?

I believe David quiets his heart or inner person by realizing that be cannot control everything that happens in his life. Instead he lets go his obsession to be in control of things and gives it over to God. When we focus on our problems too much we are not trusting in God or resting. Instead we are worrying and fretting about it and doubting God. David realized that some things he could not understand and trusted in God to take care of it.

The elements mentioned are humility, trust, contentment, and hope in God. When we give it over to God then we can learn to admit when things are out of our hands and learn to trust in Him. True humility is when we know our own limitations and are willing to let go control. We learn to be content where we are at and put our hope in God and believe that He will take care of us.

I am still struggling with that concept myself in my own life. Trying to be content in the3 situation I am in is not easy. I have not come to the weaned child state yet.

[Godswriter]

David quiets his soul through trusting Him and putting his hope in Him. He starts by being humble and not being proud. His eyes are not full of pride either. He looks to God with humility instead. Humility and trust are two of the elements that are mentioned in the psalm. Resting peacefully in God’s arms like a weaned child who is satisfied is another one.

[MICHELLE OXLEY]

study of Psalms.docx

[Rosesam]

Q1. According to Psalm 131, just how does David quiet his inner person before the Lord? What are the elements mentioned in this psalm?

 David quiets his inner person by resting in the Lord. Resting requires humility and trust knowing that God is more than sufficient, to be everything that he needs. Isaiah 30:15 says “In returning and rest is my salvation and in quietness and confidence is my strength”. He is like a weaned child not as demanding as a nursing child, nor a self-confident, always wanting to be in control adult, but dependent on the Lord.

 Humility, quietness, rest, trust, and hope are the elements mentioned in this psalm. A childlike surrender to the all-knowing, loving God is also seen.

[Krissi]

I read this psalm a bit differently than Pastor Ralph and most posters here.

Yes, the first stanza has to do with humility but it's a strong humility, an ability to NOT think about certain things. Here, David decides NOT concern himself with big ideas or things that are wonderful but beyond his comprehension.

The second stanza starts with "but ..."  not "because." He's saying that he has chosen to still and quiet his own mind by not thinking about things he cannot comprehend. Note that David quieted his own soul: God didn't quiet his soul for him. 

The third stanza analogizes David's self-quieting as the behavior of a weaned baby. A weaned baby has dealt with his mother pushing him aside (his mother, perhaps, is analogized as all the things David could not understand or deal with). What is David weaned from? Trying to figure things out that cannot be understood and considering ideas that are wonderful though incomprehensible.

The fourth and final stanza is prescriptive -- "putting your hope in the Lord." Note, again, that this is a determination David has made. He has decided or willed to hope in God. He's not asking God to do anything, but rather realized that at this time in his life he must willfully reject ideas and behaviours that upset him, to quiet his own mind to the extent he is like a weaned child, weaned from demanding explanations from God.

____

Four days later ...

God led me back to this lesson so I could learn from Him again. This has never happened before. I believe God is reaching toward me through Pastor Ralph's teachings. 

Right now, my stomach is knotted like a rock and I'm vomiting. I've slept very little this week and am exhausted. Tears are welling up as my shaky hands type : Lord, my Lord Jesus, I need your peace during this literal trial! I need to be able to quiet my inner person. Help me, Jesus. HELP!

Actually getting His peace  ... claiming it, and having the evidence that His peace has calmed my physical body, is really difficult.

Am I humble enough?  I feel as if the pride I used to have has been crushed by this point, but perhaps not. I do desire strength and imagine myself vanquishing the enemy in court which is a form of pride: I confess this, here, in this public forum. Lord, forgive my desire for vindication, a form of pride.

Trust. I boils down to trust. God is teaching me to trust Him. Letting God determine the outcome. Not trying to manipulate the situation, but putting it in His hands, telling the total truth, and letting God work in this situation. This is a huge test for me. Can I trust God no matter what the outcome to be loving and good to me, to work things out for my best? Can I trust him to vindicate me? 

Lord, with the faith and trust of a mustard seed, I cede the consequences of obedience. Please help me conquer my debilitating fear which is, at bottom, a lack of trust in You. 

I will obey You and leave the consequences to You, Lord. I know you'll never leave or forsake me. I know you are a God who controls all circumstances. I struggle with the idea that you' care for me, but with the faith of a mustard seed, I believe you love me and are working all things for my benefit. 

Please comfort me.  Amen.