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

While there are exceptions, children are far from quiet during the process of weaning. When deprived of the source of comfort and sustenance they have enjoyed since birth, children are fretful, and may at times exhibit loud temper tantrums. Yet while the grown man often thinks evil of others as a result of losses to himself, the child does not harbour resentment against his mother. Unhampered by pride or other evil feeling arising from selfishness, the child quickly adjusts to his new situation. Indeed, as soon as he is weaned, he is quiet, leaning as contentedly upon his mother’s breast as he had before.

As the wise and caring mother perceives the season for her child to be weaned, so the Lord’s infinite wisdom perceives what His children need in order to grow into capable men and women. The Lord may see it needful for us to let go of wealth, associations, ease of circumstances, or even life itself. While the process of losing these enjoyments may be as unpleasant as weaning is for the child, it is only by behaving and quieting ourselves in such moments that our souls are to find peace. David revealed the secret to world-weaning prior to the verse under examination:

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. Psalm 131:1

In perfect submission there is perfect peace. With anything less there is torment and grief. David concludes his psalm by confirming that Israel’s hope is in the LORD, as opposed to any fleeting advantage this world may provide.

Let Israel hope in the LORD from henceforth and for ever. Psalm 131:3

Christopher Sparks