Psalms 131:2
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Surely I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with his mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
This psalm is David's profession of humility, humbly made, with thankfulness to God for his grace, and not in vain-glory. It is probable enough that (as most interpreters suggest) David made this protestation in answer to the calumnies of Saul and his courtiers, who represented David as an ambitious aspiring man, who, under pretence of a divine appointment, sought the kingdom, in the pride of his heart. But he appeals to God, that, on the contrary, I. He aimed at nothing high nor great (Psa 131:1). II. He was very easy in every condition which God allotted him (Psa 131:2); and therefore, III. He encourages all good people to trust in God as he did (Psa 131:3). Some have made it an objection against singing David's psalms that there are many who cannot say, "My heart is not haughty," etc. It is true there are; but we may sing it for the same purpose that we read it, to teach and admonish ourselves, and one another, what we ought to be, with repentance that we have come short of being so, and humble prayer to God for his grace to make us so. A song of degrees of David.
Open source ↗131:2 The psalmist calmed and quieted himself, surrendering his ambitions and taming his ego (Gal 2:20). • like a weaned child: The psalmist sees himself as a contented child.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature.
Truly I tell you, anyone who does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why the unease within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.
Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why the unease within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.
It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.
For the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, has said: “By repentance and rest you would be saved; your strength would lie in quiet confidence— but you were not willing.”
In God alone my soul finds rest; my salvation comes from Him.
Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why the unease within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him for the salvation of His presence.
By your patient endurance you will gain your souls.
And David was greatly distressed because the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of every man grieved for his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God.