We have here one more experience through which David, though the anointed of the Lord, had to pass before being enabled to carry out the great desire of his heart – one more experience in his training depicted by this Psalm which lasted over a period of several years.
It has been suggested that this little Psalm was the exercise of David’s soul when criticized by his elder brother on the occasion of his being sent by his father to the army camp too see how his brethren fared-the very occasion of David’s meeting Goliath. He was accused of “pride” and “naughtiness of heart” resulting in the neglect of his duty as that which brought him there. But it was really the father’s care over them which sent him there. (1 Sam. 17:17-1817And Jesse said unto David his son, Take now for thy brethren an ephah of this parched corn, and these ten loaves, and run to the camp to thy brethren; 18And carry these ten cheeses unto the captain of their thousand, and look how thy brethren fare, and take their pledge. (1 Samuel 17:17‑18).)
(vs. 1) “Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me.” What an exercise for the Lord’s anointed to pass through, and has not many a saint endured these same trials from those content with formal things, when exercised about his place or seeking the pathway marked out for faith in this world?
The result of this exercise we get in the next verse:
(vs. 2) “Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child.” What does weaning speak of? The freeing from the world’s influences, and perhaps more, the things of nature. We eventually have to learn as to our individual path and joy in the Lord, that it must not depend upon anyone else-nature’s ties or gifted servants. There must be the going on in quietness in one’s soul apart from all this. One remembers a remark heard some years ago that the trees planted by the rivers of water are not dependent upon the showers, though they welcome them. One can never take the stand that all one has to do is to follow a certain gifted individual, and all will be right. This is not behaving and quieting oneself as a weaned child. The pathway of the child of God must often be individually between himself and the Lord, such as worship and some decisions which have to be made individually before Him. There are other times, however, in service and in the interpreting of the Scriptures, when it is well to seek godly counsel with others, so as to have a check upon ourselves (Gal. 2:22And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain. (Galatians 2:2)).
The results of the exercise produced here would be anything but an effected spirit of piety. The experiences passed through have been such that that which is merely on the surface would either be driven inward and so the work deepened in the soul, or else be given up.
The closing expression of this Psalm is very significant:
(vs. 3) “Let Israel hope in the LORD from henceforth and forever.” Who could not but say that when Israel shall arrive at the state produced here, they will be ready for the fullest blessing? And can we not say it would be so of us too? These exercises through which David passed made him realize it was only through dependence upon the Lord that the. Philistine could be overcome.