Christianity

Psalms 131As a Weaned Child

Summary

Psalm 131, a Song of Ascents attributed to David, is only three verses long but is prized as a portrait of humility. The speaker's heart is not haughty nor his eyes lofty, and he does not busy himself with matters too great or too high for him. Instead he has calmed and quieted himself like a weaned child with its mother, content to rest rather than demand. He ends by calling Israel to hope in the LORD from henceforth and forever.

Key verse

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

Psalms 131:2

Themes

Humility
Contentment
Quiet Trust
Childlike Faith

Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me.

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

Let Israel hope in the LORD from henceforth and for ever.

Text: King James Version (1611/1769), public domain.

Across traditions

Christianity
Matthew 18: Become as Little Children
Jesus tells his disciples in Matthew 18:3 to 4 that unless they become like little children they will not enter the kingdom of heaven, and that whoever humbles himself like a child is greatest.
Taoism
Tao Te Ching 55: Like an Infant
Laozi compares one who has the attributes of the Tao in abundance to an infant, soft yet whole and in harmony. The image of childlike stillness resembles Psalm 131, though the Tao Te Ching speaks of harmony with the Way rather than trust in a personal God.

Questions about Psalms 131

What is a weaned child in Psalm 131?

A weaned child no longer cries for milk but rests contentedly with its mother. Psalm 131:2 uses this to describe a soul that trusts God without restless demands, rather than the helplessness of a newborn.

Does Psalm 131 discourage asking hard questions?

Psalm 131:1 speaks of not exercising oneself in things too high, but it is a statement of humility rather than a rule against inquiry. The psalmist chooses quiet trust over anxious striving for what lies beyond him.