I’ve been meditating on the “psalms of ascent” a lot lately (Psalms 120-134) – and these past few days in the prayer room at IHOP, I’ve particularly been parked on Psalms 130 and 131 – especially Psalm 131:2 “But I have stilled and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me.”
I started pondering what the psalmist meant by “a weaned child with its mother” and it struck me that a child who is weaned is at peace in its mother’s arms. A nursing baby is often all wiggly and anxious with mom because he or she is thinking about and looking for one thing – food! A weaned child has been “fed” already and is able to just relax in mom’s presence.
That painted such a vivid picture for me. As we mature, we should know that he is always faithful to meet our ongoing needs and there is no need to be all “wiggly and anxious” – in his presence we can simply relax and enjoy him. Whatever is going on, we can “be still and know he is God.” So simple and sweet.
As I was meditating on those verses, I started singing them, as I often do, and the next thing I know, it turned into a full blown song. The words don’t read as well as they sing, but this is more or less what came out of my mouth:
I have stilled –
and quieted my soul
Like a weaned child with its mother
I will trust and rest
As I wait for Your best
Seeking Your heart above all others
In a world of commotion
Through a range of emotions
I will wait and be still
I know Your plan is in motion
So I’ll rest in devotion
And I will wait and be still
I will wait and be still
Not in it for thrills –
I only want what’s real
Complete authenticity
Not just what You bring,
But Your face that I seek
In the beauty of simplicity
In a world of commotion
Through a range of emotions
I will wait and be still
I know Your plan is in motion
So I’ll rest in devotion
And I will wait and be still
I will wait and be still
I will wait; yes, my soul waits
More than those who watch for the dawn
I will wait; yes, my soul waits
Until Your will is done
My hope is alive in You
My love is alive in You
My faith is alive in You
In You I will always trust
I will wait; yes, my soul waits
More than those who watch for the dawn
Amen. Lord, I have stilled and quieted my soul as I wait for You. ” I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than the watchmen wait for the morning.” – Ps. 130:5-6
Cindy Powell 