Surely I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with his mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me. Surely I have stilled and quieted my soulThe phrase "Surely I have stilled and quieted my soul" reflects a deliberate act of calming one's inner being. The Hebrew word for "stilled" is "shavah," which implies leveling or making even. This suggests a conscious effort to bring one's emotions and thoughts into a state of peace and balance. The word "quieted" comes from "damam," meaning to be silent or still. In the historical context of ancient Israel, where life was often tumultuous due to external threats and internal strife, this phrase indicates a profound trust in God, allowing the psalmist to find tranquility amidst chaos. It is an invitation for believers to seek God's presence to achieve inner peace, emphasizing the importance of spiritual discipline and surrender. like a weaned child with his mother
The imagery of "like a weaned child with his mother" is rich with meaning. In Hebrew, "weaned" is "gamal," which signifies the transition from dependence on milk to solid food. This metaphor illustrates a shift from a state of dependency to one of maturity and contentment. A weaned child no longer cries for milk but rests peacefully in the mother's presence, symbolizing trust and satisfaction. Historically, the weaning process in ancient cultures was significant, marking a child's growth and development. Spiritually, this image encourages believers to move beyond spiritual infancy, where they are constantly in need, to a mature faith that rests in God's presence, trusting in His provision and timing. like a weaned child is my soul within me
The repetition of "like a weaned child" emphasizes the psalmist's state of inner peace and contentment. The phrase "is my soul within me" highlights the personal and internal nature of this tranquility. The Hebrew word for "soul" is "nephesh," which encompasses one's entire being—mind, will, and emotions. This suggests that the psalmist's entire self is at rest, not just outwardly but deeply within. In the scriptural context, this reflects a profound level of spiritual maturity and trust in God. It serves as an inspirational call for believers to cultivate a similar state of inner peace, where their soul, like a weaned child, finds rest and satisfaction in the presence of the Lord, free from anxiety and striving. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidTraditionally attributed as the author of Psalm 131, David is a central figure in the Bible known for his deep relationship with God, his role as the second king of Israel, and his authorship of many psalms. 2. JerusalemWhile not directly mentioned in this verse, Jerusalem is often the backdrop for David's life and psalms, symbolizing the spiritual center of Israel and the place where David established his kingdom. 3. Weaned ChildThe imagery of a weaned child is used to convey a sense of peace and contentment, illustrating a mature and trusting relationship with God. Teaching Points Cultivating ContentmentJust as a weaned child rests in the presence of their mother, believers are called to find contentment and peace in God's presence, trusting in His provision and timing. Spiritual MaturityThe imagery of a weaned child suggests a move from dependency on immediate gratification to a deeper, more mature reliance on God. This maturity involves trusting God beyond our immediate needs and desires. Quieting the SoulIn a world filled with noise and distractions, believers are encouraged to intentionally quiet their souls, seeking God's peace through prayer, meditation on Scripture, and worship. Trust in God's SovereigntyLike a child who trusts their parent, believers are called to trust in God's sovereignty, knowing that He is in control and has our best interests at heart. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the imagery of a weaned child help us understand the nature of contentment in our relationship with God? 2. In what ways can we practice quieting our souls in today's fast-paced world, and what role does prayer play in this process? 3. How does the concept of spiritual maturity, as illustrated by a weaned child, challenge our current understanding of faith and trust in God? 4. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's peace in a difficult situation. How did this experience shape your trust in Him? 5. How can the teachings of Jesus in Matthew 18:3 about becoming like little children inform our approach to faith and humility in our daily lives? Connections to Other Scriptures Matthew 18:3Jesus speaks about becoming like little children to enter the kingdom of heaven, emphasizing humility and trust, which parallels the imagery of a weaned child in Psalm 131:2. Philippians 4:11-13Paul discusses learning to be content in all circumstances, which resonates with the quieted soul described in Psalm 131:2. Isaiah 26:3This verse speaks of perfect peace for those who trust in God, aligning with the tranquility of a weaned child. People David, PsalmistPlaces JerusalemTopics Behaved, Breast, Calm, Calmed, Child, Compared, Composed, Kept, Mother's, Myself, Quiet, Quieted, Restrained, Rests, Silent, Soul, Stilled, Surely, Weaned, WithinDictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 131:2 8205 childlikeness Psalm 131:1-2 5721 mothers, a symbol
8328 quietness Psalm 131:1-3 5058 rest, spiritual Library The Duty of Self-Denial.
"Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child."--Psalm cxxxi. 2. Self-denial of some kind or other is involved, as is evident, in the very notion of renewal and holy obedience. To change our hearts is to learn to love things which we do not naturally love--to unlearn the love of this world; but this involves, of course, a thwarting of our natural wishes and tastes. To be righteous and obedient implies self-command; but to …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIIPrayer for Humility. --Ps. cxxxi.
Prayer for Humility.--Ps. cxxxi. Lord, for ever at Thy side, Let my place and portion be; Strip me of the robe of pride, Clothe me with humility. Meekly may my soul receive All Thy Spirit hath reveal'd, Thou hast spoken;--I believe Though the prophecy were seal'd. Quiet as a weanèd child, Weanèd from the mother's breast, By no subtlety beguiled, On thy faithful word I rest. Saints! rejoicing evermore, In the Lord Jehovah trust; Him in all his ways adore, Wise, and wonderful, and …
James Montgomery—Sacred Poems and Hymns Lord, for ever at Thy Side
[1176]Seymour: Arr. from Carl Maria von Weber (1786-1826) Psalm 131 James Montgomery, 1822 DOXOLOGY Lord, for ever at thy side Let my place and portion be: Strip me of the robe of pride, Clothe me with humility. Meekly may my soul receive, All thy Spirit hath revealed; Thou hast spoken; I believe, Though the oracle be sealed. Humble as a little child, Weanèd from the mother's breast, By no subtleties beguiled, On thy faithful word I rest. Israel now and evermore, In the Lord Jehovah trust; …
Various—The Hymnal of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the USA Children and Childlike Men
'And they brought young children to Him, that He should touch them: and His disciples rebuked those that brought them. 14. But when Jesus saw it, He was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. 15. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.' --Mark x. 13-15. It was natural that the parents should have wanted Christ's blessing, so …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Continued.
In addition to the psalms already considered, which are devoted to the devout contemplation of nature, and stand in close connection with David's early days, there still remains one universally admitted to be his. The twenty-ninth psalm, like both the preceding, has to do with the glory of God as revealed in the heavens, and with earth only as the recipient of skyey influences; but while these breathed the profoundest tranquillity, as they watched the silent splendour of the sun, and the peace of …
Alexander Maclaren—The Life of David That the Ruler Should be Discreet in Keeping Silence, Profitable in Speech.
The ruler should be discreet in keeping silence, profitable in speech; lest he either utter what ought to be suppressed or suppress what he ought to utter. For, as incautious speaking leads into error, so indiscreet silence leaves in error those who might have been instructed. For often improvident rulers, fearing to lose human favour, shrink timidly from speaking freely the things that are right; and, according to the voice of the Truth (Joh. x. 12), serve unto the custody of the flock by no means …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great The Upbringing of Jewish Children
The tenderness of the bond which united Jewish parents to their children appears even in the multiplicity and pictorialness of the expressions by which the various stages of child-life are designated in the Hebrew. Besides such general words as "ben" and "bath"--"son" and "daughter"--we find no fewer than nine different terms, each depicting a fresh stage of life. The first of these simply designates the babe as the newly--"born"--the "jeled," or, in the feminine, "jaldah"--as in Exodus 2:3, 6, 8. …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life A Summary of the Christian Life. Of Self-Denial.
The divisions of the chapter are,--I. The rule which permits us not to go astray in the study of righteousness, requires two things, viz., that man, abandoning his own will, devote himself entirely to the service of God; whence it follows, that we must seek not our own things, but the things of God, sec. 1, 2. II. A description of this renovation or Christian life taken from the Epistle to Titus, and accurately explained under certain special heads, sec. 3 to end. 1. ALTHOUGH the Law of God contains …
Archpriest John Iliytch Sergieff—On the Christian Life Blessed are the Poor in Spirit
Having spoken of the general notion of blessedness, I come next to consider the subjects of this blessedness, and these our Saviour has deciphered to be the poor in spirit, the mourners, etc. But before I touch upon these, I shall attempt a little preface or paraphrase upon this sermon of the beatitudes. 1 Observe the divinity in this sermon, which goes beyond all philosophy. The philosophers use to say that one contrary expels another; but here one contrary begets another. Poverty is wont to expel …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12 Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Psalm 131:2 NIVPsalm 131:2 NLTPsalm 131:2 ESVPsalm 131:2 NASBPsalm 131:2 KJV
Psalm 131:2 Commentaries
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