This entire Psalm is just three verses, but it is one of the most beautiful in all of Scripture.
In verse one, David talks first about the condition of his heart. He says it is not proud. How can he say this, and actually not be proud in the process? The answer lies in where he is choosing to look and what he is choosing to do.
David is looking at himself and the world around him from a God-centered perspective. This is what true humility is all about.
The opposite of humility is pride. Some people define "pride" as "healthy self-esteem" but the "pride" described in the Bible is not a healthy human characteristic at all. The biblical idea of pride is to remove God from His throne and replace Him with yourself. When you do this you will begin to look at the world with "haughty eyes." That is, you will look down at some people from an elevated arrogant position and look up at others with envy and jealousy.
The moment you have this distorted image of yourself, you will begin to think you can handle cosmic questions that are actually beyond your ability to handle. In other words, you will begin to play God. David declared that he recognized there are things "too difficult" for him that he will leave in God’s hands.
The payoff for a humble heart before God comes in verse 2. Here, David says he has quieted his soul. In other words, when you have an accurate perspective of yourself in relation to God, you have the opportunity to rest in His arms, just like a "weaned child."
Nursing mothers understand this picture immediately, but for the rest of you, let me explain. Before a baby is weaned, place him or her on any woman’s lap and what will happen? That’s right, the baby will search for food. And it won’t be subtle either. It’s instinctive. But once the baby is weaned, how does the behavior change? No more struggling to nurse. This is the baby that just sits and rests in the full knowledge that life is good and that food will come. No effort required.
How about you? Are you struggling in God’s arms trying to get your needs met? Could this be why you are taking sexual shortcuts in the world of Internet porn? When you take your eyes off the computer images and focus instead on God, you will discover that He can meet your deepest needs. Day by day you will then learn that you can quiet your soul and rest contented in His arms accepting good gifts to you in His time.
Once you discover that what was true for David is true for you, then move to verse three. It’s then time to declare it to your world. Encourage your friends to find their hope in God as well. Have a great day!