Pride Versus Humility

Psalm 131

Today’s psalm, though not the shortest in the Bible, is one of the shortest, consisting of only three small verses.  Charles Spurgeon, the great British preacher of the 19th century, said that this psalm was one of the shortest to read, but one of the longest to learn.  What is the message that God has given us in this psalm? Let’s take a look at it together.

Psalm 131 gives us a picture of a young child who has been weaned and is no longer being nursed by his mother.  This young toddler is at peace, and is not anxious, worried, nor concerned about matters of the world or life. At this young age a child is not proud or arrogant.  Those are bad character traits that come soon enough, but are not generally seen in someone so young. A newly weaned child is generally a toddler, just learning to walk and newly exploring his world.  With no worries, he is at peace, fully trusting his parents. A weaned child comes into his mother’s lap, not for need of nourishment, but with a desire for closeness and comfort.

Like a young child, our psalmist King David wants to be humble and at peace, not haughty or concerned with great matters, and able to rest and trust in God’s comforting care.  This is something the Lord Jesus has promised those who turn to Him in trust. He promises calm and quiet for our souls (John 14:27). David had trained himself to trust in God to supply all he needed, just as a weaned child trusts his mother.

God loves a humble spirit, a person who doesn’t think that he or she is the greatest one around.  King David was humble. During the years that King Saul was pursuing David there were several times when Saul’s life was in David’s hands, and he could have killed him. He didn’t, though, and instead, when talking to Saul, David called himself a flea and a dead dog (I Samuel 24:14). He could have told Saul that God had chosen him to replace Saul on the throne, which would have been the truth.  Instead David remained humble. Moses was also a most humble man despite being in such a high and powerful position (Numbers 12:3). God promises us that a humble spirit will obtain honor (Proverbs 29:23).

Pride is the result of overvaluing ourselves and undervaluing others. It makes us dissatisfied with what we have and concerned with what everyone else is doing.  Pride makes us crave more and more attention and adoration.

Humility, on the other hand, puts others first, and is content to let God lead in our lives.  We no longer have to prove ourselves to others, and can be content. Humility is not a character trait that we can openly announce that we have.  It is like a rare and delicate flower. When we put it in the limelight it wilts and dies. Impatient arrogance is a very dangerous habit to let develop in our lives.

The Lord is instructing us in this very short psalm to let our spirits remain calm and quiet, trusting in Him to bring us peace and rest. Be like that carefree young child who completely trusts his parents. I would sure like to be like a little child and climb into God’s lap in trust, where I can rest and find calmness and comfort.  Wouldn’t you? When we do, God promises to bring us peace.