Meditation

The importance of meditation

Psalm 1:1–3 KJV 1900

Blessed is the man That walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor standeth in the way of sinners, Nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; And in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, That bringeth forth his fruit in his season; His leaf also shall not wither; And whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

See also 1 Sa 12:24; Job 37:14; Ps 19:14; Ps 48:9; Ps 77:11–12; Ps 104:34; Ps 107:43; Php 4:8; 2 Ti 2:7

Meditation on the person of God

Psalm 16:8 KJV 1900

I have set the Lord always before me: Because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

See also Ps 104:34

Meditation on God’s word

Psalm 119:15–16 KJV 1900

I will meditate in thy precepts, And have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.

See also Jos 1:8; Ps 1:1–3; Ps 119:23; Ps 119:48; Ps 119:78; Ps 119:95; Ps 119:97; Ps 119:99

Meditation on the works of God

Psalm 77:12 KJV 1900

I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.

See also Ps 111:2; Ps 143:5; Ps 145:5

Meditation on the creation

Psalm 8:1–9 KJV 1900

O Lord our Lord, How excellent is thy name in all the earth! Who hast set thy glory above the heavens. Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength Because of thine enemies, That thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, The moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? And the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, And hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; Thou hast put all things under his feet: All sheep and oxen, Yea, and the beasts of the field; The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, And whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas. O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!

See also Ps 104:1–34; Pr 6:6; Mt 6:26–30

Meditation at night

Psalm 119:148 KJV 1900

Mine eyes prevent the night watches, That I might meditate in thy word.

See also Ps 16:7; Ps 42:8; Ps 63:6

Examples of people meditating

Jos 1:8; Ps 19:14

See also Job 22:22 Eliphaz’ advice to Job; Ps 39:3; Ps 119:78; Ps 119:148; Lk 2:19 Mary; Ac 8:27–35 the Ethiopian eunuch

The results of meditation

Obedience

Psalm 119:11 KJV 1900

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, That I might not sin against thee.

See also Jos 1:8; Ps 119:55

Understanding and wisdom

Psalm 119:97–98 KJV 1900

MEM. O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day. Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: For they are ever with me.

See also Ps 119:27

Praise and worship

Ps 48:9–10; Ps 63:5–6; Ps 104:33–35; Ps 119:97

Prosperity and success

Joshua 1:8 KJV 1900

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Delight in the Lord

Psalm 1:2 KJV 1900

But his delight is in the law of the Lord; And in his law doth he meditate day and night.

See also Ps 119:15–16; Ps 119:23–24; Ps 119:77–78

Confidence and faith

Psalm 16:8 KJV 1900

I have set the Lord always before me: Because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.