Sermon Tone Analysis
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[Psalm 131] It is one of the shortest psalms to read, but one of the longest to learn.” C. Spurgeon
This psalm is a tale of two hearts: a restless heart and a resting heart.
Why are we not able to experience true peace?
We all want to have complete control.
We all struggle with this.
David addresses this issue and how he was able to “calmed and quieted his soul.”
Let’s look at the first heart:
A restless heart
What does a restless heart look like?
David describes a restless heart in verse 1.
First, a restless heart is a prideful heart.
Look at the first sentence of v.1, “O Lord, my heart is not lifted up.”
Jesus came to deliver us from a our biggest problem: a proud self-will
Self-trusting
Self- reliant
Self-absorbed
Independent/autonomous/ without God.
“I did it my way!”
Second, a restless heart is an arrogant heart.
David declares, “my eyes are not raised too high.”
(lit.
haughty eyes)
The phrase “haughty eyes” is always used in the Bible to describe a person who is “arrogant, disdainful and setting oneself above others”
Arrogance is an expression of pride.
Arrogance looks down on people.
David Powlison, Pride is not just about ME.
It’s also about you.
I must look down on you in some way.
Pride says, “I’m right in myself.”
Haughty eyes say, “I’m right compared to you.”
It is absorbed with self-image
King of the mountain
I look down on other people
Low-self esteem (you envy other people)
Irritable with people
Envy & criticize other people.
Third, a restless heart is an anxious heart
Look at the second sentence in v.1, “I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me.”
What is meant by “things too great.” is not made clear.
There is nothing wrong with wanting to do great things.
We are to follow William Carey’s advice, “Expect great things from God. Attempt great things for God.”
What David wants us to stop from doing is pursuing things that are out of our control.
Look at the rest of the sentence, “I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me.”
The word, the ESV translates as “marvelous” can also be translated as “to be extraordinary, to be beyond one’s power to do, to do wonderful acts.”
The verb is found for the first time in Gen. 18:14: “Is any thing too hard for the Lord?”
Pala˒ is used primarily with God as its subject, expressing actions that are beyond the bounds of human powers or expectations.
Here’s what David is saying, “You are God and I am not.
Therefore, I’m going to relinquish control of that which I cannot control nor understand.”
God’s timing
Why is this happening to me right now?
Change people’s heart (only God can do that)
Give more example of things/areas we want to control that lead to anxiety
Thankfully there is a way out of it.
The Bible describes David as “a man after God’s own heart” (1 Sam 13:14).
He wasn’t perfect, but he processed life in a way that was in tune with God’s heart despite all the turmoil and pressure he faced in his life.
He learned to process life in the context of his relationship with God which lead him to live life with a resting heart.
A resting heart
Psalm 131:2 “2 But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.”
This is a powerful picture of someone who is experiencing peace that surpasses all understanding.
This is a complete opposite picture of someone with a restless heart.
He hears the voice of Good Shepherd saying, “Peace, be still!”
David Powlison, “To quiet your soul means to silence the noise and tumult.
“Sssshhh” to your desires, fears, opinions, anxieties, agendas, and irritabilities.”
How do you go from a restless heart to a resting heart?
We experience a resting heart by experiencing the love of Jesus Christ through the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit.
It’s all about a relationship!
Last year in May I attended a pastor’s conference where I heard a hymn titled, “Be still my soul.”
At this point in my life, my wife Sarah and I had made a major decision that would affect our family and finances in a major way.
I was already dealing with crippling anxiety.
The hymn was written by Katarina von Schlege.
She writes it in order to calm and quite her soul.
She personalizes Psalm 131:2, perhaps written in the context of some great loss.
Be still my soul the Lord is on thy side
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain
Leave to thy God to order and provide
In every change He faithful will remain
Be still my soul thy best, thy heavenly friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end
Tears streaming down my face as I was reminded that God is in control.
He will provide, he has a plan.
Be still, my soul, thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as He has the past
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake
All now mysterious shall be bright at last
Be still, my soul, the waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below
We need to be reminded to be still in order to be reminded that you are not alone through the storm you are going through.
Christ rules the storms.
You can trust him.
Be still, my soul; when dearest friends depart
and all is darkened in the vale of tears,
then you will better know his love, his heart,
who comes to soothe your sorrows and your fears.
Be still, my soul; your Jesus can repay
from his own fullness all he takes away.
Loss is some of the hardest things one will ever face thing to face.
A loved one dies and will never again her his/her voice.
A job where you poured your talent and energy.
Health loss.
A failed marriage
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