Psalm 131 2

Psalm 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.

Psalm 131:2 nkjv

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

Psalm 131:2 niv

But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content.

Psalm 131:2 esv

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

Psalm 131:2 nlt

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.

Psalm 131 verses

Psalm 131 2 Meaning

Psalm 131:2 articulates a profound state of inner peace and settled humility, declared by the psalmist David. He states that his soul has been purposefully calmed and quieted, likening it to a weaned child securely content beside its mother. This imagery portrays a complete cessation of striving, ambition, or demanding desire, replaced by a tranquil dependence and a deep satisfaction found simply in being in the Lord's presence, rather than clamoring for specific outcomes or benefits.

Psalm 131 2 Context

Psalm 131 is one of the fifteen "Songs of Ascents" (Psalms 120-134), traditionally sung by pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem for the major annual festivals. These psalms often depict a spiritual journey, reflecting themes pertinent to pilgrims on their way to the temple. Psalm 131 is exceptionally brief but powerfully encapsulates a deep, personal spiritual state. In verse 1, David distances himself from pride, haughty ambition, and meddling in matters beyond his grasp. Verse 2 then presents the positive consequence of this humble posture: a soul that has found quietude and contentment. This inner tranquility contrasts sharply with the external demands and spiritual strivings of a fallen world, establishing humility and trust as foundational for a true relationship with God and a peaceful inner life on the spiritual pilgrimage.

Psalm 131 2 Word analysis

• אִם לֹא (ʾim lōʾ): Transliterated as "Im lo", literally "if not". In this specific context, combined with the verb tense, it functions as a strong oath or affirmation, meaning "Surely I have..." or "Indeed I have..." It conveys a resolute and undeniable declaration from the psalmist. It signifies a solemn, emphatic statement that the following is absolutely true regarding his soul.
• שׁויתי (shiviti): From the Hebrew root שׁוה (shawa), meaning "to be level," "to make even," "to quiet," "to calm," or "to settle." Here in the Piel stem, it denotes an active, intensive effort to bring the soul to a state of calm. It suggests making smooth what was rough, or bringing to equilibrium what was agitated.
• ודוממתי (vedomamti): From the Hebrew root דמם (damam), meaning "to be silent," "to be still," "to rest," or "to cease." The conjunction 'and' (ו) links it closely with "shiviti," reinforcing the depth of the tranquility. This verb signifies a silencing of internal clamor, worries, and ambitious demands. The soul is not just calm, but also brought to utter stillness.
• נפשׁי (nafshi): "My soul" or "my whole being." This encompasses David's inner self – his emotions, desires, will, intellect, and appetites. The verse speaks of an internal work, not just an outward show of humility. It refers to the core identity and disposition of the person.
• כַּגָּמֻל (kaggamul): "Like a weaned child."
  • כּ (ka): "like" or "as," indicating a simile.
  • גָּמֻל (gamul): Derived from the verb גּמל (gamal), "to deal bountifully with, ripen, or wean." A "weaned child" in ancient Israelite culture was often aged between two and three years. This child is no longer dependent on mother's milk for sustenance. It implies a significant developmental stage – independence from a primary, consuming physical craving.
• עֲלֵי אִמּוֹ (alei immo): "with its mother." The preposition עֲלֵי (alei) means "upon" or "with" or "beside." The image is of a child no longer seeking milk, but content simply resting on or with its mother, finding security and peace in her mere presence. The craving for the physical nourishment has subsided, replaced by contentment in relationship.
• כַּגָּמֻל עָלַי נַפְשִׁי (kaggamul alai nafshi): "like the weaned child upon me is my soul." This repetition of "like a weaned child" emphasizes and reaffirms the profound state of the psalmist's soul. The second "עָלַי (alai)" here functions idiomatically as "within me" or "upon me," reinforcing that this quieted state is deeply internal and personal, resonating throughout his entire being. The complete phrase signifies that his soul is truly and personally transformed into this state of restful contentment.

Psalm 131 2 Bonus section

• Chiasm and Emphasis: The verse displays a beautiful chiasm (ABBA structure) or repetition for emphasis: "like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me." This literary device underscores the direct and profound analogy between the weaned child's state and David's inner peace.
• Spiritual Maturity: The weaning process in ancient cultures, often extending up to three years, marked a significant milestone: a move from complete dependency on milk for survival to a broader diet and greater independence. Spiritually, it signifies growth beyond merely seeking immediate spiritual gratification ("milk") to a mature, sustained relationship with God, characterized by enduring trust even when "demands" are not instantly met.
• Counter-Cultural: This posture of humility and contentment was counter-cultural in many ancient societies, and remains so today, where ambition, self-assertion, and the pursuit of power and material gain are often extolled. The psalm advocates for an internal revolution.
• Personal Application: The verse is a prayerful self-declaration and a personal testament. It models for believers a state to strive for—one where anxieties and lofty ambitions are laid aside, and the soul finds true rest and contentment solely in God's presence and will.

Psalm 131 2 Commentary

Psalm 131:2 illustrates a profound spiritual transformation from self-centered desire to God-centered contentment. The imagery of the "weaned child" is particularly potent; an unweaned child is typically restless, crying out constantly for its mother's breast, symbolic of humanity's ceaseless cravings and ambitious strivings for worldly satisfaction. In contrast, the weaned child, though still needing its mother's presence for security and love, no longer expresses the urgent, demanding hunger for milk. It finds its contentment and rest simply in its mother's embrace, no longer agitated by physical needs.

Similarly, David proclaims that his soul has moved beyond demanding "milk" from God or from life—meaning he has put aside haughty ambition, prideful pursuits, or a restless striving for things "too great or too marvelous for me" (v. 1). Instead, his soul has learned to "calm" and "quiet" itself. This is not a passive state but an active spiritual discipline, a deliberate act of choosing trust over anxiety, humility over pride, and divine dependence over self-reliance. It reflects a maturity in faith where the soul is settled, at peace with God's provision and sovereignty, simply resting in His presence without agitation or demand. This contentment arises from a deep trust that God's plan is good, leading to genuine spiritual rest and joy that transcends circumstances.