Sermon Tone Analysis

Meditation

Meditate

Hebrew expression: hagah

Pronunciation: kaw GAW

Strong’s Number: 1897

KEY VERSES

Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:2; Psalms 63:6; 77:12; 143:5; Proverbs 15:28; 24:2

Most Christians have moved away from meditation because of the non-biblical connotations that other religions have emphasized.

However, one of the most famous psalms of the Bible encourages us “to meditate” on God’s law day and night (Ps.

1:2).

The Hebrew verb hagah, used in this psalm and in Joshua 1:8, means “to muse,” “to meditate,” “to moan,” “to think,” or “to speak.”

King David says that in times of distress, trouble, or oppression, he would “think” (hagah) upon the Lord (Pss.

63:6; 77:12; 143:5).

The word often refers to internal meditation, but also to verbal utterances or sounds.

Hagah therefore can be used in a positive sense as when the psalmist’s tongue speaks of God’s righteousness all day long (Pss.

35:28; 37:30; 71:24), or when the righteous man “utters” (hagah) what is good and wise (Ps.

37:30).

But, in a negative sense, those who “mutter” (hagah) senselessly are classed with wizards and mediums (Isa.

8:19).

Also, while the wicked “plot” (hagah) violence and evil, the righteous “ponder” (hagah) a wise answer carefully (Prov.

24:2).

Meditation must be based on the Bible’s guidelines.

The object of meditation in the Psalms was the Law of the Lord.

The psalmist not only meditated upon God’s Word day and night, but he delighted in it as well (Ps.

1:2).

The moral and ethical guidance of the Law is celebrated in Psalm 119 where the words “law,” “torah,” “ordinance,” “commandment,” or their synonyms are found 176 times!

The word of God was a lamp to the psalmist’s feet and a light to his path (Ps.

119:105).

The one who meditates upon God’s Word is righteous.

Joshua encouraged the Israelites to meditate day and night, just as the psalmist did.

By doing so, the people would then do everything written in the law.

This was their key, not only to personal happiness before God, but also to their success in taking and keeping the land of Canaan (Josh.

1:8).

God gave His laws and teachings to the Israelites to study and meditate upon, making them different from all other people of the world.

Israel was to be a special people to the Lord and by meditating upon His law they would become like Him.

The value of thinking and meditating upon God and His works—and especially the moral and ethical law He has given to all people—are examples for us today.

Believers should think and meditate upon things that are true, noble, pure and lovely (Phil.

4:8), but even more we should put into practice the things on which we meditate (Phil.

4:9).

Our devotion is to be centered upon the Lord (2 Cor.

11:3) and by thinking upon those things that are pure, we purify ourselves (Jas.

4:8).

Ps

Question to the AFers: Can Christian practise meditation?

Question to the AFers: Can Christian practise meditation?

Ps63

(Most Christians have moved away from meditation because of the non-biblical connotations that other religions have emphasized.)

Ps77

King David says that in times of distress, trouble, or oppression, he would “think” (hagah) upon the Lord (; ; ).

Most Christians have moved away from meditation because of the non-biblical connotations that other religions have emphasized.

A 2009 study of views common to seven experts trained in diverse but empirically highly studied (clinical or Eastern-derived) forms of meditation[20] identified "three main criteria... as essential to any meditation practice: the use of a defined technique, logic relaxation, and a self-induced state/mode.

Other criteria deemed important [but not essential] involve a state of psychophysical relaxation, the use of a self-focus skill or anchor, the presence of a state of suspension of logical thought processes, a religious/spiritual/philosophical context, or a state of mental silence."[21]:135

However, the study cautioned, "It is plausible that meditation is best thought of as a natural category of techniques best captured by 'family resemblances'... or by the related 'prototype' model of concepts."[21]:135[22].

Wikipedia

Wikipedia

Can the Christian practise this kind of meditation?

The answer is no.

Can the Christian meditate?

The answer is yes.

The more challenging question is;

“Does our meditation achieve the results of peace and calm that secular or non Christian meditation promises?”

There are answers to these questions in tonight’s meditation!

You will understand why I use “meditation” and not devotion by the end of this message.

In we read;

In we see the righteous man is known by the LORD (YWHY);

And we read in ;

The righteous man of GOD meditate day and night.

Imagine that - he does meditation day and night.

So, GOD does approve of meditation and He teaches us through the Psalmist example what is and how to meditate.

What is Biblical mediation?

As such, we who thirst and hunger for righteousness are encourage to meditate too, and .

??????????????

(However, one of the most famous psalms of the Bible teaches us through encouragement “to meditate” on God’s law day and night (). )

The word meditate can be found in many places and we shall look at them in and first.

( Hebrew verb hagah, used in this psalm and in , means “to muse,” “to meditate,” “to moan,” “to think,” or “to speak.” )

(Show the word study diagram and use it to explain the different meanings)

In these 2 verses, the word mean;

to muse

to meditate

to think

to moan and

to speak.

Similarly, in and .

In these 2 verse, the kind of meditation that is being practise in non Christian circles can be seen;

The kind of meditation that is being practise in non Christian circles can be seen in and .

Here, to meditate mean;

thoughtful contemplation

wisdom discourse and

meditation which has the same meaning as and Psalm 1:2;

muse - to be inspired.

moan - an expression of mental anguish.

think and then

speak or respond.

So, according to Scriptures, Christians do meditate.

From Scripture, we do see meditation as internal and external.

Internal are your thoughtful contemplations and how these affects the way you feel.

External is your speech and actions that comes out of the things that is in your heart.

On this note, do you see why some people have mental breakdowns?

Some say its because they think too much or contemplate too much.

That is partly true.

because mental breakdowns is more likely that they think a lot and do not have the answer to their questions or anguish.

these stresses and problems keeps circling round and round inside them.

Such troubled mental state that is without a solution or relief can lead someone to a mental breakdown or what is known as psychotic break.

Some people use meditation to free their minds of worries, anxieties and fear.

by banishing all thoughts or think happy thoughts.

BUT that is not the way of Scripture.

What is our meditation when we are troubled?

Do we empty our minds?

What “happy thoughts” gives us peace and comfort?

Let us look at King David’s example.

King David’s meditation goes like this;