A calm, peaceful and restrained attitude to life and way of approaching God frequently commended in Scripture even in adverse circumstances. It is also a condition experienced by God's friends and enemies when confronted by his majesty.
Quietness of life
A quiet manner of life commended
1 Timothy 2:1–2 See also Psalm 35:20, Psalm 131:1–2; Matthew 12:19; Isaiah 42:2; 1 Thessalonians 4:11; 2 Thessalonians 3:12; 1 Timothy 2:11; 1 Peter 3:1–4
First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered for everyone— for kings and all those in authority— so that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity.
A quiet temperament
When the boys grew up, Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the field, while Jacob was a quiet man who stayed at home.
Quiet activity
Matthew 1:19 See also Judges 4:21; Ruth 3:7; Ezekiel 24:17; Acts 16:37
Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and was unwilling to disgrace her publicly, he resolved to divorce her quietly.
The wisdom of being quiet
Amos 5:13 See also Genesis 34:5; Judges 18:19–20; Esther 7:4; Proverbs 15:18; Ecclesiastes 9:17; Acts 19:35–36
Therefore, the prudent keep silent in such times, for the days are evil.
Quietness in different circumstances
In peace and rest
Psalm 23:2 See also 1 Chronicles 4:40; Proverbs 17:1; Isaiah 32:17; Mark 6:31
He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.
After conflict
1 Chronicles 22:9 See also Joshua 11:23, Joshua 14:15; Judges 3:11, Judges 5:31, Judges 8:28; 2 Chronicles 14:1, 2 Chronicles 20:30; Isaiah 14:7; Jeremiah 30:10 parallel Jeremiah 46:27; Zechariah 1:11
But a son will be born to you who will be a man of rest. I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side; for his name will be Solomon, and I will grant to Israel peace and quiet during his reign.
When in distress
2 Samuel 13:20; Nehemiah 8:9–11; Isaiah 7:4
Because of a sense of shame
Genesis 3:8; Nehemiah 5:8; Mark 9:34
When before a higher authority
Judges 3:19; Mark 1:25 parallel Luke 4:35
God's quiet voice
Absence of quietness
Because of inner conflict
Job 3:26 See also Ruth 3:18; Job 6:24; Romans 7:21–24
I am not at ease or quiet; I have no rest, for trouble has come.”
Because of sin
But the wicked are like the storm-tossed sea, for it cannot be still, and its waves churn up mire and muck. “There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.”
The quietness of God
God chooses quietness
Isaiah 18:4 See also Job 34:29; Isaiah 42:14; Ezekiel 16:42
For this is what the LORD has told me: “I will quietly look on from My dwelling place, like shimmering heat in the sunshine, like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest.”
God rejects quietness
For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not keep still, until her righteousness shines like a bright light, her salvation like a blazing torch.
God brings quietness
Psalm 76:8 See also Psalm 46:10, Psalm 65:7, Psalm 89:9, Psalm 107:29; Isaiah 24:8, Isaiah 25:5; Zephaniah 3:17; Matthew 8:26 parallels Mark 4:39, Luke 8:24
From heaven You pronounced judgment, and the earth feared and was still
Quietness before God
Being quiet before God
Psalm 37:7; Isaiah 30:15 See also Exodus 14:14; Lamentations 3:26; 1 Corinthians 14:28, 1 Corinthians 14:34–35; Revelation 8:1
Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when men prosper in their ways, when they carry out wicked schemes.
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.”
Quietness in prayer
Matthew 6:6 See also Nehemiah 2:4; Mark 6:46 parallel Matthew 14:23; Luke 5:16, Luke 6:12, Luke 9:18
But when you pray, go into your inner room, shut your door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Quietness as calmness
In contrast with the storm
Matthew 8:26 parallels Mark 4:39, Luke 8:24 See also Psalm 107:30; Jonah 1:11–15
“You of little faith,” Jesus replied, “why are you so afraid?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it was perfectly calm.
In contrast with rashness
Ecclesiastes 10:4 See also Proverbs 15:18
If the ruler’s temper flares against you, do not abandon your post, for calmness lays great offenses to rest.
In contrast with unrest
Isaiah 7:4 See also Nehemiah 8:11
and say to him: Calm down and be quiet. Do not be afraid or disheartened over these two smoldering stubs of firewood— over the fierce anger of Rezin and Aram and of the son of Remaliah.
In contrast with anger
So I will lay to rest My wrath against you, and My jealousy will turn away from you. Then I will be calm and no longer angry.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.