This psalm should be familiar to us because it has been a favorite at our church—and perhaps for good reason.
Psalm 131 expresses a deep humility. Not the so-called ‘humility’ of virtue signaling and self-pity, nor the self congratulating ‘humility’ that is puffed up by its own self-centeredness. Instead, Psalm 131 conceives of the humility of heart, mind, and soul that rests in the embrace of God—like a small child rests in the arms of their mother.
But this is no needy child. The relationship is no longer transactional. Prior to being weaned, all the child knows of their mother is need and need-fulfillment. The child comes to their mother in need and the mother, lovingly, fulfills the need.
But Psalm 131 says “like a weaned child.”
Now, there is no question that, in a certain sense, the need/need-fulfillment relationship never ceases—with our mothers or with God. But notice the categorical difference in the image of the weaned child in their mother’s arms. This expresses a new kind of relationship: one that no longer begins and ends with need, but begins and ends with Love. Of course, the mother always understood the relationship in this way, but the child comes to know and experience this over time.
And so it is with us and God. We will always have needs. And God will always, lovingly, meet our needs. But, there is a way of relating to God that rests, not in need, but in Love.
Maybe the way towards humility begins by resting in the embrace of a God who loves you and has already met all your needs.
- Chaz H