What does Psalm 131:3 mean?

David's experience (Psalm 131:1) was that trusting the Lord brings peace and contentment (Psalm 131:2). This was just compared to a child's development of patience as they begin to eat solid foods. Saul persecuted David for ten years in the wilderness. He sought to kill David, but David had received the Lord's anointing (1 Samuel 16:13)and seemed to understand that he would one day be king (Psalm 18:50). Therefore, he trusted the Lord to fulfill His promise (1 Samuel 16:13). In time, the Lord placed David on the throne as king over all Israel (2 Samuel 5:4). So, David encourages the people of Israel to hope in the Lord.

Israel's long-term hope is for a kingdom ruled by the Messiah (Daniel 9:25; Isaiah 9:7). When Jesus ministered on earth, the Jews hoped the Promised One would overthrow the Romans (Acts 1:6) and set up the messianic kingdom. However, Jesus came the first time to redeem, not reign (John 18:36; Acts 1:7–8). He will establish His future earthly kingdom at His second coming. Today, Christians have the blessed hope (Titus 2:13) that Jesus will return. When that occurs, faith will give way to sight, and Christians will be with the Lord forever (John 14:1–3; 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17).