Psalm 131:2
New International Version
But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content.

New Living Translation
Instead, I have calmed and quieted myself, like a weaned child who no longer cries for its mother’s milk. Yes, like a weaned child is my soul within me.

English Standard Version
But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.

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.

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

New King James Version
Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul, Like a weaned child with his mother; Like a weaned child is my soul within me.

New American Standard Bible
I have certainly soothed and quieted my soul; Like a weaned child resting against his mother, My soul within me is like a weaned child.

NASB 1995
Surely I have composed and quieted my soul; Like a weaned child rests against his mother, My soul is like a weaned child within me.

NASB 1977
Surely I have composed and quieted my soul; Like a weaned child rests against his mother, My soul is like a weaned child within me.

Legacy Standard Bible
Surely I have soothed and quieted my soul, Like a weaned child with his mother, Like a weaned child is my soul within me.

Amplified Bible
Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul; Like a weaned child [resting] with his mother, My soul is like a weaned child within me [composed and freed from discontent].

Christian Standard Bible
Instead, I have calmed and quieted my soul like a weaned child with its mother; my soul is like a weaned child.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Instead, I have calmed and quieted myself like a little weaned child with its mother; I am like a little child.

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.

Contemporary English Version
But I have learned to feel safe and satisfied, like a young child in its mother's arms.

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Instead, I have kept my soul calm and quiet. My soul is content as a weaned child is content in its mother's arms.

Good News Translation
Instead, I am content and at peace. As a child lies quietly in its mother's arms, so my heart is quiet within me.

International Standard Version
Instead, I have composed and quieted myself like a weaned child with its mother; I am like a weaned child.

Majority 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.

NET Bible
Indeed I am composed and quiet, like a young child carried by its mother; I am content like the young child I carry.

New Heart English 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.

Webster's Bible Translation
Surely I have behaved and quieted myself as a child that is weaned by his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child.

World English 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.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Have I not compared, and kept my soul silent, "" As a weaned one by its mother? As a weaned one by me [is] my soul.

Young's Literal Translation
Have I not compared, and kept silent my soul, As a weaned one by its mother? As a weaned one by me is my soul.

Smith's Literal Translation
If I did not place and rest my soul as a child weaned of his Mother: my soul as a weaned child.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
If I was not humbly minded, but exalted my soul: As a child that is weaned is towards his mother, so reward in my soul.

Catholic Public Domain Version
When I was not humble in thought, then I lifted up my soul. Like one who has been weaned from his mother, so was I recompensed in my soul.

New American Bible
Rather, I have stilled my soul, Like a weaned child to its mother, weaned is my soul.

New Revised Standard Version
But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; my soul is like the weaned child that is with me.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Surely I have humbled and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of its mother; my soul is even as a weaned child.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
But my soul is humbled like one weaned of his mother, and my soul is like one weaned of me.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Surely I have stilled and quieted my soul; Like a weaned child with his mother; My soul is with me like a weaned child.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
I shall have sinned if I have not been humble, but have exulted my soul: according to the relation of a weaned child to his mother, so wilt thou recompense my soul.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
I Have Stilled My Soul
1A song of ascents. Of David. My heart is not proud, O LORD, my eyes are not haughty. I do not aspire to great things or matters too lofty for me. 2Surely I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with his mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me. 3O Israel, put your hope in the LORD, both now and forevermore.…

Cross References
Matthew 18:3-4
“Truly I tell you,” He said, “unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. / Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Isaiah 66:13
As a mother comforts her son, so will I comfort you, and you will be consoled over Jerusalem.”

Matthew 11:29
Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

1 Peter 2:2
Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,

Philippians 4:11-12
I am not saying this out of need, for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances. / I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. In any and every situation I have learned the secret of being filled and being hungry, of having plenty and having need.

Isaiah 26:3
You will keep in perfect peace the steadfast of mind, because he trusts in You.

Luke 18:16-17
But Jesus called the children to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. / Truly I tell you, anyone who does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

1 Corinthians 14:20
Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature.

Hebrews 5:13-14
For everyone who lives on milk is still an infant, inexperienced in the message of righteousness. / But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil.

Jeremiah 31:25
for I will refresh the weary soul and replenish all who are weak.”

1 Thessalonians 4:11
and to aspire to live quietly, to attend to your own matters, and to work with your own hands, as we instructed you.

Proverbs 17:27
A man of knowledge restrains his words, and a man of understanding maintains a calm spirit.

James 3:13
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

Isaiah 30:15
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.”

1 Timothy 6:6
Of course, godliness with contentment is great gain.


Treasury of Scripture

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

quieted

Psalm 42:5,11
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance…

Psalm 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.

Psalm 62:1
To the chief Musician, to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David. Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation.

myself Heb.

Luke 21:19
In your patience possess ye your souls.

John 14:1,2
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me…

as a child

Matthew 18:3,4
And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven…

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.

1 Corinthians 14:20
Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

Jump to Previous
Behaved Breast Calm Calmed Child Compared Composed Kept Mother Mother's Quiet Quieted Restrained Rests Silent Soul Stilled Surely Weaned Within
Jump to Next
Behaved Breast Calm Calmed Child Compared Composed Kept Mother Mother's Quiet Quieted Restrained Rests Silent Soul Stilled Surely Weaned Within
Psalm 131
1. David professing his humility
3. Exhorts Israel to trust in God














Surely I have stilled and quieted my soul;
This phrase reflects a deliberate act of calming one's inner being. In biblical context, the soul often represents the whole person, including emotions and desires. The psalmist, traditionally believed to be David, expresses a conscious effort to find peace and contentment. This mirrors the biblical theme of trusting in God rather than being consumed by pride or ambition, as seen in other scriptures like Philippians 4:6-7, which encourages believers to present their requests to God with thanksgiving to receive peace. The act of stilling and quieting the soul can be seen as a form of spiritual discipline, akin to practices such as meditation and prayer, which are emphasized throughout the Psalms.

like a weaned child with his mother,
The imagery of a weaned child suggests a transition from dependency on the mother for sustenance to a state of contentment and trust. In ancient Near Eastern culture, weaning was a significant milestone, often celebrated with a feast, as seen in Genesis 21:8 with Isaac. This metaphor indicates a mature faith that no longer demands immediate gratification but rests in the assurance of God's provision. The weaned child symbolizes a believer who has moved beyond spiritual infancy, characterized by constant neediness, to a deeper, more trusting relationship with God.

like a weaned child is my soul within me.
Reiterating the metaphor, the psalmist emphasizes the internalization of this peace and contentment. The repetition underscores the completeness of this transformation. In the broader biblical narrative, this reflects the journey of faith where believers are called to grow in spiritual maturity, as encouraged in Hebrews 5:12-14. The soul's contentment is a testament to the psalmist's trust in God's sovereignty and goodness, echoing themes found in other wisdom literature, such as Proverbs 3:5-6, which advises trust in the Lord with all one's heart. This state of inner peace is a type of Christ's own trust and submission to the Father's will, exemplified in His earthly ministry.

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
Traditionally 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. Jerusalem
While 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 Child
The 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 Contentment
Just 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 Maturity
The 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 Soul
In 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 Sovereignty
Like 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.(2) Surely.--This seems the best way of rendering the phrase, which literally is if not, and is plainly elliptical, being commonly used to express strong asseveration after an oath.

I have behaved . . .--The figure here is plain. It is taken from a baby's first real sorrow when he not merely feels pain, but is allowed no access to that which was his solace hitherto. He moans, and frets, and sobs, but at last is quieted by the love which is powerful to soothe, even when it must deny. So, as George Herbert says of man, "If goodness lead him not, then weariness may toss him to God's breast." But the exact rendering is matter of difference and difficulty. The verb rendered "behave" means to make equal or like. This is its meaning, even in Isaiah 38:13, which is the only place referred to by Gesenius in support of his translation here "calmed." We cannot, therefore, render, as many critics, "I calmed and quieted my soul." But, as in Hebrew, it is common to express one idea by the combination of two verbs, so "I made like, and I quieted my soul," is really an idiomatic way of saying "I made as quiet as." The redundancy of the sign of comparison as after verbs of likening may be illustrated by Psalm 49:12, as well as by the passage in Isaiah referred to above. We thus get: "Surely I made my soul as quiet as a weaned child upon his mother, as a weaned child upon me, my soul." Instead of fretting after what is too great for him, he quiets his ambition, and his spirit lies calm and gentle, like a child in its mother's arms, that after the first trouble of weaning is over is soothed and lulled by the maternal caress. Perhaps the opposite idea, expressed by the common phrase, "to nurse ambitious thoughts," may serve to illustrate this somewhat unwonted image. For Israel as a "weaned child," comp. Isaiah 28:9.

Verse 2. - Surely I have behaved and quieted myself; rather, I have stilled and quieted my soul. I have brought my soul into a state of peacefulness and content. As a child that is weaned of his mother. The weaned child is quiet and content; the suckling always impatient and restless. My soul is even as a weaned child. Another repetition for the sake of emphasis (see Psalm 130:5, 6).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Surely
אִם־ (’im-)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

I have stilled
שִׁוִּ֨יתִי ׀ (šiw·wî·ṯî)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7737: To level, equalize, to resemble, to adjust

and quieted
וְדוֹמַ֗מְתִּי (wə·ḏō·w·mam·tî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 1826: To be dumb, to be astonished, to stop, to perish

my soul;
נַ֫פְשִׁ֥י (nap̄·šî)
Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion

like a weaned child
כְּ֭גָמֻל (kə·ḡā·mul)
Preposition-k | Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular
Strong's 1580: To deal fully or adequately with, deal out to, wean, ripen

with his mother,
אִמּ֑וֹ (’im·mōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 517: A mother, )

like a weaned child
כַּגָּמֻ֖ל (kag·gā·mul)
Preposition-k, Article | Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular
Strong's 1580: To deal fully or adequately with, deal out to, wean, ripen

is my soul
נַפְשִֽׁי׃ (nap̄·šî)
Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion

within me.
עָלַ֣י (‘ā·lay)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against


Links
Psalm 131:2 NIV
Psalm 131:2 NLT
Psalm 131:2 ESV
Psalm 131:2 NASB
Psalm 131:2 KJV

Psalm 131:2 BibleApps.com
Psalm 131:2 Biblia Paralela
Psalm 131:2 Chinese Bible
Psalm 131:2 French Bible
Psalm 131:2 Catholic Bible

OT Poetry: Psalm 131:2 Surely I have stilled and quieted my (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 131:1
Top of Page
Top of Page