His place of holy subjection and littleness is brought out in this Psalm, and so was the place Christ had taught them and taken. He knew all things, but He had put Himself into the place of quiet subjection to God's will, and therein was in the way of blessing. The things which were revealed He took up and taught to Israel, and there Israel found and would find its blessing. The spirit is the spirit of all learning and instruction, but it is not the character of the Church's language, but of the quiet, childlike subjection of Israel as entering, as an obedient child, into the place of its hope.
The former Psalms threw Israel on the mercy, but these are the words of Christ leading them. It seems to be subjection of spirit-the spirit of obedience as contrasted with purpose; compare Deuteronomy, end of chapter 29 and 30, Zeph. 3:10, 1210From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, even the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring mine offering. (Zephaniah 3:10)
12I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the Lord. (Zephaniah 3:12), etc. There seems to be the sense of inward subjection, i.e., the absence of self-confidence, and also the withdrawal from all other, his heart "as a weaned child," so as that the Lord alone is exalted. He had bowed under the circumstances. He turns and says, "Let Israel hope in the Lord," etc.—before, it was redemption from iniquities—"from henceforth and forever," for He was obedient in spirit, and sets Israel in it. So we find the same spirit shown in Matt. 11:2424But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee. (Matthew 11:24), et seq. We have the exercise of judgment on the same principle, in Psa. 101 Here He leads the way in it—as man He leads the way in obedience to power, but the spirit is blessedly beautiful and instructive to us.