Psalms 131:2

KJV

Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul [is] even as a weaned child.

KJV (with Strong's)

Surely I have behaved {H7737} and quieted {H1826} myself {H5315}, as a child that is weaned {H1580} of his mother {H517}: my soul {H5315} is even as a weaned child {H1580}.

Complete Jewish Bible

No, I keep myself calm and quiet, like a little child on its mother's lap -I keep myself like a little child.

Berean Standard Bible

Surely I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with his mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me.

American Standard Version

Surely I have stilled and quieted my soul; Like a weaned child with his mother, Like a weaned child is my soul within me.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 131:2 beautifully articulates a profound state of spiritual tranquility and humble contentment, likening the psalmist's inner peace to that of a weaned child. This metaphor conveys a soul that has moved beyond restless craving and demanding self-reliance, finding deep rest and satisfaction in a mature, settled trust in God's sovereign care and provision. It speaks to a deliberate choice to quiet the soul, relinquishing pride and ambition for a posture of humble dependence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 131 is a brief yet profound "Song of Ascent" (Psalms 120-134), a collection traditionally sung by pilgrims journeying to Jerusalem for the annual festivals. Its placement within this collection suggests a spiritual preparation for drawing near to God, emphasizing humility as a prerequisite for true worship. The preceding verse, [Psalm 131:1](/psalms/131-1 "Psalm 131:1 - David's Humble Declaration"), sets the stage by declaring the psalmist's rejection of pride, lofty eyes, and involvement in matters too great for him. Verse 2 then elaborates on the inner state that results from such a humble posture: a soul that is quieted and content, much like a weaned child. This progression from outward humility to inward peace forms a cohesive spiritual journey within the psalm.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Composed by David, this psalm reflects the ancient Israelite understanding of spiritual maturity and dependence on God. The image of a weaned child would have resonated deeply in an agrarian society where the weaning process was a significant developmental milestone, marking a transition from absolute, immediate dependence on a mother's milk to a more mature, yet still reliant, relationship. Pilgrimage to Jerusalem, often involving arduous journeys, underscored a physical and spiritual ascent, requiring a stripping away of worldly anxieties and an embrace of simple trust in God for sustenance and protection. The psalm thus speaks to a universal human experience of seeking peace amidst life's demands, framed within the specific cultural context of ancient Israelite family life and religious practice.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme of [Psalm 131](/psalms/131 "Psalm 131 - A Song of Humble Trust") is **humble contentment and mature trust in God**. The "weaned child" metaphor powerfully illustrates a soul that has relinquished the restless striving and insatiable desires often characteristic of spiritual immaturity. Unlike an unweaned infant whose existence revolves around immediate gratification, the weaned child, while still dependent, has learned patience and finds security in the mother's presence rather than just her provision. This mirrors the spiritual journey of moving beyond a demanding faith to one that rests in God's timing and wisdom, echoing the call to childlike humility and trust found in [Matthew 18:3](/matthew/18-3 "Matthew 18:3 - Becoming Like Children"). This deep, settled trust leads to a profound inner peace, a peace that transcends understanding, as described in [Philippians 4:7](/philippians/4-7 "Philippians 4:7 - The Peace of God").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Behaved (Hebrew, _shavah'_):** The KJV "behaved" translates the Hebrew verb שָׁוָה ( _shavah'_), which means "to be like," "to be equal," or "to set, place." In the Hiphil stem, as used here, it conveys the idea of "to make alike," "to smooth," or "to quiet." This suggests an active, deliberate effort on the part of the psalmist to bring his soul into a state of likeness or conformity to the quietness of a weaned child. It's not a passive experience but a conscious act of self-regulation and alignment.
* **Quieted (Hebrew, _domamti'_):** The Hebrew word דּוֹמַמְתִּי ( _domamti'_), derived from the root דָּמַם ( _damam_), means "to be silent," "to be still," or "to rest." The first-person common singular perfect form indicates a completed action: "I have stilled myself," "I have silenced myself." This reinforces the active, intentional nature of the psalmist's spiritual discipline. He has actively brought his inner turmoil, anxieties, and restless desires to a halt, imposing stillness upon his soul.
* **Weaned (Hebrew, _gamul'_):** The term גָּמוּל ( _gamul_) refers to a child that has been weaned. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, weaning often occurred later than in modern Western societies, sometimes between two and five years of age. It was a significant transition, marking a child's growing independence from the mother's breast, though still deeply reliant on her for overall care. The image evokes a child no longer crying for milk but contentedly resting with its mother, perhaps even leaning on her in quiet satisfaction, having learned to trust in her provision beyond immediate gratification.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Surely I have behaved and quieted myself":** This opening clause emphasizes the psalmist's deliberate and active role in cultivating inner peace. The repetition of verbs of intentional action ("behaved" and "quieted") underscores that this state is not accidental or merely a result of circumstance, but a conscious spiritual discipline. It speaks to a soul that has learned to master its own impulses and anxieties.
* **"as a child that is weaned of his mother":** This is the core simile, providing the powerful imagery for the psalmist's achieved state. The weaned child serves as a metaphor for a soul that has moved beyond the demanding, restless cravings of spiritual infancy. It no longer cries out for immediate gratification or struggles with unfulfilled desires but rests in a deeper, more mature trust.
* **"my soul [is] even as a weaned child":** This final clause reiterates and confirms the comparison, explicitly stating that the psalmist's very "soul" (נֶפֶשׁ, _nephesh_ – the seat of emotions, will, and life) has attained this settled, quieted state. The repetition emphasizes the profound internal transformation and the depth of the peace achieved, a peace rooted in humble contentment and unwavering trust.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in [Psalm 131:2](/psalms/131-2 "Psalm 131:2 - The Weaned Child Simile") is **Simile**, explicitly comparing the psalmist's soul to "a child that is weaned of his mother" using the comparative "as." This simile is highly effective because it draws on a universally understood human experience of childhood development, making the abstract concept of spiritual peace tangible and relatable. The image of a weaned child evokes a sense of contentment, security, and a cessation of restless craving, providing a vivid picture of the desired spiritual state. Furthermore, there is an element of **Repetition** in the verse, with the phrase "as a weaned child" appearing twice, which serves to reinforce the central metaphor and emphasize the profound impact of this spiritual posture on the psalmist's soul.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 131:2 presents a profound theological truth about spiritual maturity: it is characterized not by striving or demanding, but by a humble, quiet trust in God. This "weaned" state signifies a soul that has learned to relinquish control, surrendering its anxieties and ambitions to divine sovereignty. It moves beyond a transactional faith that constantly seeks immediate gratification from God, towards a relational faith that finds deep satisfaction in God's presence and character, regardless of external circumstances. This posture of quiet dependence is a hallmark of true wisdom and spiritual peace, reflecting a heart that has found its ultimate rest in the Lord.

* [Isaiah 26:3](/isaiah/26-3 "Isaiah 26:3 - Perfect Peace for Trusting Hearts")
* [Matthew 6:25-34](/matthew/6-25 "Matthew 6:25-34 - Do Not Worry")
* [1 Peter 5:7](/1_peter/5-7 "1 Peter 5:7 - Casting All Your Anxiety on Him")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 131:2 offers a powerful invitation to examine the true state of our souls. Are we like unweaned infants, constantly crying out for what we think we need, restless and demanding in our prayers and expectations of God? Or have we matured into a quiet, settled contentment, trusting God's timing and provision even when our immediate desires are not met? This verse challenges us to actively "behave and quiet" our souls, intentionally bringing our anxieties, ambitions, and unfulfilled cravings before God and choosing to rest in His sovereign care. It calls us to cultivate a profound inner peace that is not dependent on external circumstances but on a deep, abiding trust in the One who holds all things together. This spiritual discipline allows us to find true rest and satisfaction in God's presence, moving beyond self-reliance to a humble, mature dependence that frees us from the tyranny of our own desires.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are the "milk cravings" in your spiritual life that still cause restlessness or anxiety?**
* **In what areas of your life do you struggle to "quiet yourself" and trust God's timing or provision?**
* **How can you intentionally practice surrendering control and cultivating a more "weaned" posture of humble dependence on God this week?**
* **What does true contentment look like for your soul, apart from external circumstances?**

### FAQ
**What does "as a child that is weaned of his mother" truly mean in a spiritual sense?**

Answer: Spiritually, being "as a child that is weaned of his mother" signifies a profound state of mature trust and contentment, moving beyond the restless, demanding nature of spiritual infancy. An unweaned infant cries incessantly for immediate gratification (milk), its entire being focused on this singular need. A weaned child, however, has learned patience and security; it still depends entirely on its mother for sustenance and comfort, but it does so without the urgent, clamoring insistence. In a spiritual sense, it means relinquishing our demanding desires, our need for immediate answers or specific outcomes from God, and instead resting in His presence and sovereign care. It's a surrender of self-will and a deep acceptance of God's wisdom and timing, leading to profound inner peace, as seen in [Psalm 4:8](/psalms/4-8 "Psalm 4:8 - Lying Down in Peace"). It implies a settled satisfaction in God Himself, rather than merely in what He can provide.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The humble, quieted soul of [Psalm 131:2](/psalms/131-2 "Psalm 131:2 - The Weaned Child's Rest") finds its ultimate fulfillment and perfect embodiment in Jesus Christ. While the psalmist actively strives to quiet his soul, Jesus perfectly exemplified this state of complete dependence and humble submission to the Father's will. He did not come seeking His own glory or pursuing earthly ambitions, but continually declared, "I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me" ([John 5:30](/john/5-30 "John 5:30 - Jesus' Dependence on the Father")). His life was a testament to the weaned child's contentment, accepting the Father's provision and timing, even unto death on the cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Humility")). He invites us to find this same rest, promising, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" ([Matthew 11:28-29](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28-29 - Jesus' Invitation to Rest")). Through Christ, we are empowered by the Spirit to shed our restless cravings and enter into the profound peace of a soul truly weaned from worldly anxieties and fully dependent on the Father's loving care, just as He was.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Corinthians 14:20

Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

Mark 10:15

Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.

John 14:1

¶ Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

John 14:2

In my Father's house are many mansions: if [it were] not [so], I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

Psalms 43:5

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, [who is] the health of my countenance, and my God.

Psalms 42:11

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, [who is] the health of my countenance, and my God.

Luke 21:19

In your patience possess ye your souls.