Psalm 131 

Commentators suggest two possible occasions for this composition. The first; when Saul hunted David, and David was repeatedly accused of ambition for the throne of Israel. The second; David’s response to his wife, Michal, when she accused him of being vulgar and undignified after he danced in the procession of bringing the ark of the covenant into Jerusalem (2Samuel 6:16-23). Whatever the occasion was, this short psalm is a beautiful denial of pride, arrogance, and selfish ambition. One of the shortest psalms with a lifetime of learning therein.  

David declares at the beginning that he had learned to reject selfish ambition, and he chose not to pursue things too profound for him. He did not set his focus on promotion or position above what God had appointed in the present season. Jesus taught us to accept a lower place (Luke14:8-11), and wait patiently for God to lift us up in His wisdom and timing. Paul declares that there are godly aspirations (Philippians 3:12-14) and then there are selfish ambitions (2 Corinthians 12:20, Philippians 2:3). One way we can distinguish between them is to look for a focus on God (related to spiritual aspirations) or a focus on self (selfish ambition). David understood the principle of Deuteronomy 29:29. He had “composed and quieted his soul” instead of following proud pursuits, content with God and His works.  

The metaphor of a child not-yet weaned embracing his mother with the thought of food and immediate satisfaction is contrasted with a weaned child embracing his mother out of a desire for love, closeness, and companionship. Such was David’s humble desire to draw near to God. (This is one of the few passages where God is represented as a mother. C.f. Isa.49:15 & 66:13.)  

The conclusion is that we can only learn the lesson of victory over feverish ambition, that David sang of, if we set our hope on the LORD and nothing else. This alone will wean us from insubstantial ambitions. Jesus, our example, said, ‘My food is to do the will of him who sent me, and to accomplish his work’ (John4:34.) “From this time forth and forever”