stillness

Everyday

1. Stillness is being completely still, with no movement. tree →
2. Stillness is being quiet and calm, with no noise. tree →

In the lessons

In stories and poems, stillness describes a calm night, a frozen lake or the silence before something happens. In everyday life and mindfulness lessons, children practise moments of stillness to feel calm. Phrases: «the stillness of the night», «in the stillness».

Examples

• The stillness of the forest was broken by a bird call. tree →
• In the stillness of the night, we heard an owl. tree →
• The lake lay in perfect stillness. tree →
• Let's sit in stillness for one minute and breathe. tree →
• The hunter waited in total stillness. tree →
• A shout broke the stillness of the morning. tree →
• A sudden clamor of high-pitched voices broke the deadly stillness of the dawn. tree →

Note

Uncountable noun: still + -ness. Keep both l's and the double s: «stillness». Stillness means both no movement and quiet. Do not confuse with «still» meaning «even now» («I am still hungry»).

In Jewish tradition

Here it means quiet trust, waiting calmly for God to help instead of rushing about in fear.

Interpretation. Commentators read this psalm as teaching faith. The soul is silent and patient because it believes salvation comes only from God.

Examples

• Only for God doth my soul wait in stillness; from Him cometh my salvation. (Writings PSA.62.2, JPS 1917) tree →
• Only for God wait thou in stillness, my soul; for from Him cometh my hope. (Writings PSA.62.6, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Uncountable noun: still + -ness. Keep both l's and the double s: «stillness». Stillness means both no movement and quiet. Do not confuse with «still» meaning «even now» («I am still hungry»).