Psalm 131:2
But I have calmed and quieted myself,
I am like a weaned child with its mother;
like a weaned child I am content.
Explanation of this art work.
Psalm 131 belongs to a series of pilgrim’s songs. This psalm gives place to stillness and resignation. At the feet of the Living is rest, nourishment and hope! In this psalm the delicate and tender intimacy between a mother and her child appears. It shows us a newborn sleeping in mother’s arms after having been fed. This psalm deals with a weaned child, as the original Hebrew texts indicate. A weaned child who purposely clings to his mother who is carrying him. This shows us that this is a purposeful, and not just biological intimacy. That is why a Dutch version of this psalm sings: ‘The storms have calmed in me and peaceful is my spirit. As a child on mother’s lap, that is how safe I feel me now’. – Jedi Noordegraaf
Where do you find rest?
In our lives we can have a healthy way to deal with rest and putting in an effort. Unfortunately, we often see people in Arnhem who are stressed and burnt out. Busy schedules and loads of responsibilities have been accumulating and suddenly they can’t go on anymore. Relaxation of spirit and body is needed, but it isn’t always easy to find back. That is why it is very important to ask yourself rather sooner than later: are there moments and places in my life where I can find genuine rest?
Psalm 131
A song of ascents. Of David.
My heart is not proud, Lord,
my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters
or things too wonderful for me.
But, I have calmed and quieted myself,
I am like a weaned child with its mother;
like a weaned child I am content.
Israel, put your hope in the Lord
both now and forevermore.
The art of Jedi Noordegraaf is for sale in his web shop: www.studiovandaar.nl