Untitled Sermon (3)

MEDITATION Act of calling to mind some supposition, pondering upon it, and correlating it to one’s own life. A wicked individual meditates upon violence (Prov. 24:2). The meditation of a righteous person contemplates God or His great spiritual truths (Pss. 63:6; 77:12; 119:15, 23, 27, 48, 78, 97, 148; 143:5). He hopes to please God by meditation (Ps. 19:14). Thus meditation by God’s people is a reverent act of worship. Through it they commune with God and are thereby renewed spiritually.

Most references to meditation occur in the OT, especially in the Psalms. The Hebrew words for meditation primarily were derived from two separate roots. The first (hagah) literally means “to utter in a low sound.” The word is used to denote the growling of a lion (Isa. 31:4) or the cooing of a dove (Isa. 38:14). Therefore it has been suggested that in ancient Hebrew meditation Scripture frequently was recited in a low murmur. The second root word (siach) has the basic meaning of “to be occupied with,” or “concerned about.” Thus meditation is the repetitious going over of a matter in one’s mind because it is the chief concern of life. The constant recollection of God’s past deeds by the hearing of Scripture and repetition of thought produce confidence in God (Pss. 63:6–8; 104:34; 119:15, 23, 48, 78, 97, 99, 148; 143:5).

Meditation is only mentioned twice in the NT. Jesus instructed Christians to meditate beforehand on their attitude toward persecution (Luke 21:14). Paul advised Timothy to meditate on the matters about which Paul had written him (1 Tim. 4:15). Meditation is an important part of the Christian’s relationship with Christ. See Prayer.1

1 Matthews, L. (2003). Meditation. In C. Brand, C. Draper, A. England, S. Bond, E. R. Clendenen, & T. C. Butler (Eds.), Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary (pp. 1096–1097). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

Joshua 1:8 (NKJV)

8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Psalm 1:1–3 (NASB95)

The Righteous and the Wicked Contrasted.

1 How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,

Nor stand in the path of sinners,

Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!

2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord,

And in His law he meditates day and night.

3 He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,

Which yields its fruit in its season

And its leaf does not wither;

And in whatever he does, he prospers.

Psalm 19:14 (NASB95)

14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart

Be acceptable in Your sight,

O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.

Psalm 119:97–99 (NASB95)

ם

Mem.

97 O how I love Your law!

It is my meditation all the day.

98 Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies,

For they are ever mine.

99 I have more insight than all my teachers,

For Your testimonies are my meditation.

Psalm 143:5 (NASB95)

5 I remember the days of old;

I meditate on all Your doings;

I muse on the work of Your hands.

Psalm 63:5–6 (NASB95)

5 My soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatness,

And my mouth offers praises with joyful lips.

6 When I remember You on my bed,

I meditate on You in the night watches,

Psalm 104:34 (NASB95)

34 Let my meditation be pleasing to Him;

As for me, I shall be glad in the Lord.

Psalm 119:15–16 (NASB95)

15 I will meditate on Your precepts

And regard Your ways.

16 I shall delight in Your statutes;

I shall not forget Your word.

Psalm 119:23 (NASB95)

23 Even though princes sit and talk against me,

Your servant meditates on Your statutes.

Psalm 119:48 (NASB95)

48 And I shall lift up my hands to Your commandments,

Which I love;

And I will meditate on Your statutes.

Psalm 119:49–50 (NASB95)

ז

Zayin.

49 Remember the word to Your servant,

In which You have made me hope.

50 This is my comfort in my affliction,

That Your word has revived me.

Psalm 119:57–61 (NASB95)

ח

Heth.

57 The Lord is my portion;

I have promised to keep Your words.

58 I sought Your favor with all my heart;

Be gracious to me according to Your word.

59 I considered my ways

And turned my feet to Your testimonies.

60 I hastened and did not delay

To keep Your commandments.

61 The cords of the wicked have encircled me,

But I have not forgotten Your law.