Engrafting Gods Word into your life: realizing, reflecting on, and responding to the truths of God’s Word

The Bible offers numerous insights into Scripture meditation. Learning what God’s Word has to say about it is essential to comprehending the topic.

I have provided good portion of passages of Scriptures below so that you can discern more adequately the mention of meditation in the context of each passage, and to be able to gain a deeper look at meditation. I can assure you that as you daily spend time meditating on Gods word you will find your love for God growing, you will be filled with the knowledge of His character, you will find blessings, and you will begin to yearn to know Him more and more.

Meditation Is Reading and Quoting God’s Word to Yourself

The Hebrew word translated as meditate in the verses below, hâgâh, means “to murmur (in pleasure or anger): by impl. to ponder.” The same word is also translated elsewhere in the Old Testament as imagine, mourn, mutter, roar, speak, study, talk, and utter.

“Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips: when I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate [hâgâh] on thee in the night watches. Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice. My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me” (Psalm 63:3–7).
“I will remember the works of the Lord: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. I will meditate [hâgâh] also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings. Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God? Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people” (Psalm 77:11–14).
“Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate. I remember the days of old; I meditate [hâgâh] on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands. I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah. Hear me speedily, O Lord: my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit. Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee” (Psalm 143:4–8).
“Let not the book of this law depart from thy mouth: but thou shalt meditate [hâgâh] on it day and night, that thou mayst observe and do all things that are written in it: then shalt thou direct thy way in prosperity, and successfully understand it. ” (Joshua 1:8).
“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 [hâgâh] 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” (Psalm 1:1–3).

Meditation Is Reflection and Devotion

Another Hebrew word, sîychâh, means “reflection, devotion” and is also translated as prayer. Meditation is a prayerful reflection upon words of Scripture. Notice the benefits of meditation that are set forth in the following verse: “But he that getteth wisdom, loveth his own soul, and he that keepeth prudence shall find good things. ” (Proverbs 19:8).

“O how love I thy law! it is my meditation [sîychâh] all the day. Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation [sîychâh] ” (Psalm 119:99).

Meditation Is Exalting God in Song

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation [higgâyôwn] of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer” (Psalm 19:14). The Hebrew word translated as meditation means “a murmuring sound, i.e., a musical notation”; it is translated as solemn sound. Meditation can be a reverent, musical repetition of God’s Word.

As you sing to the Lord, using Scripture songs composed by others or songs that you compose yourself, meditate on the truths you are declaring and affirming. Be aware that you are in the presence of your holy God, and reverence Him. Adore Him; rejoice in Him; petition Him; delight in His promises.

Meditation Is Reviewing, Believing, and Declaring God’s Word to Your Soul and to God

The Hebrew word translated as meditate in the following passage, sîyach, means “to ponder, i.e. (by impl.) converse (with oneself, and hence aloud) or (trans.) utter.” Elsewhere in the Old Testament it is translated as commune, complain, declare, muse, pray, speak, and talk (with). Meditation is communing with God in the language of His own written Word—reviewing, believing, and declaring His Word to your own soul and to the Lord. Notice that the psalmist meditates during the day and during the night.

“With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes. With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate [sîyach] in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.

“I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved. My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate [sîyach] in thy statutes. I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O Lord: I will keep thy statutes. I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies. I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word. Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate [sîyach] in thy word. Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness; O Lord, quicken me according to thy judgment” (Psalm 119:10–16, 47–48, 145–149).

Meditation Is Pondering God’s Truth to Gain Wisdom and Understanding

This Greek word, meletao, means “to take care of; i.e. (by impl.) revolve in the mind.” You and I would be wise to heed Paul’s exhortation to Timothy and to meditate on the Word of God, so that we can mature in our understanding and application of God’s Word. The fruit of meditation on God and His ways will affect not only our lives; it also will affect “them that hear thee” (I Timothy 4:16).

“Till I come, attend unto reading, to exhortation, and to doctrine. Neglect not the grace that is in thee, which was given thee by prophesy, with imposition of the hands of the priesthood. Meditate [meletao] Take heed to thyself and to doctrine: be earnest in them. For in doing this thou shalt both save thyself and them that hear thee.” (I Timothy 4:13–16).

Meditation Is a Choice to Renew Your Mind With God’s Word

Meditation is part of a growing relationship with God, a means of renewing the mind through the transforming power of His Word. It is an investment of time and effort with the goal of learning God’s Word so that it might change the way you think and behave. As you reflect on God’s Word, the Holy Spirit will lighten the eyes of your faith to behold God’s face. (See Psalm 13:3)

“Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call upon him, while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unjust man his thoughts, and let him return to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God: for he is bountiful to forgive.” (Isaiah 55:6–7).