Notes on the Book of Psalms, Psalm 131
The cxxxi. PSALM.
David acquits himself of ambition to the Kingdom, or in it, now he hath it, being meerly passive in the first, and no self-seeker in the last, but one that accounts himself appointed by God for the good of his people, as Christ for his Church, which is their exceeding great happiness, and should be their incouragement.
See the title of the 120 Psalm, Psalm cxxxi. A song of degrees of David.the Authors name superadded here.
1 THou Lord knowest however I have been misjudged by some through weakness,1LOrd, my heart is not haughtie, nor mine eyes loftie, neither do I exercise my self in great matters or in things too high for me. by others through perversnes, to be an ambitious self-seeker, as touching the Kingdom of Israel, and those high dignities spiritual and temporal that are concomitant to it, how that herein I am wronged, for that I never had any such aspiring thoughts, but as comparatively I was a mean man, so I allwayes had a lowly heart, and as were mine inward affections, such was and is mine outward comportment, I overlook not my brethren with an imperious countenance as most Kings do their subjects, counting them their vassals. Nor do I of mine own accord for ambition sake, as most Princes are wont, put forth my self beyond my self and calling to inlarge my dominions, how ever I may be censured considering the great things I am called unto, but walk by the dictate of Gods word and spirit in all mine undertakings both in matters of Church and State for the good of both, that is my rule, and this is mine end and aim.
2Surely I have behaved and quieted my self as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child.2 My behaviour neither heretofore nor now, either was or is such as should deserve to be so thought of, I think I have gone through mine afflictions with another spirit than ambitious worldlings shew, in the exercise of much patience, as seeing God in all, waiting and submitting to his will and providence with a childlike temper and carriage, not seeking my self, or mine own either untimely or ambitious advancement, had I, then I would have steared a far other course, as others do that do so, made a noise and a bussle in the world, taken all advantages, not been meerly passive, as I was both in regard of God, and mine adversaries, but active against mine enemies, as they were against me, yet I did no such thing, but staied the Lords leasure, and in all things submitted to his pleasure, without repining or precipitancie, living all the while by faith without using either unlawfull means, or lawfull means unlawfully, to compass the Kingdom from Saul, and I bless God now I have it, I am not altered, I am no more proud of it now, than I ambitiously coveted it heretofore, but am every whit as much at Gods dispose, who as he gave it, so I know to what use and end, for his honour and service sake, and not for mine, and hereunto stands my heart onelyonly affected, to advance him, and to be ordered by him, as Christs shall be whom I prefigure, who yet shall be censured as I am.
3 This I would have Israel know,3Let Israel hope in the Lord, from henceforth, and for ever. That the Kingdom was not my seeking, but the meer gift of God for their good, and advancement of their happiness, (as the Church is Christs) which I would have them know for their comfort and incouragement, to believe and hope in the Lord accordingly for time to come, as I have done in time past, if so, they shall find him faithful of his word, as he hath been to me, in making them a happie people under my regiment, and those that come of me, as the Church and spiritual Israel shall be in all ages, whilest the world endures, under the governance of Christ the Messiah that Prince of peace and Lamb of God that takes away the sins of all those who are Israelites indeed, that believe and hope in his name.