How to Meditate on Scripture

We are instructed in scripture to meditate on God’s word. Other terms used are the bible, scripture, the law of the Lord, His precepts, His testimonies, His commandments, and/or His statutes.

“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful 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.” Joshua 1:8 (ESV)

“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.” Psalm 1:1-3 (NIV)

The thing is, HOW does one meditate?

What IS meditation?

When we hear the word “meditate” I think some of us automatically picture a person sitting on the ground with their legs crossed, arms resting on their knees, palms facing upward with the thumb touching a finger, eyes closed, and humming or chanting some mantra. I’m pretty sure this isn’t what God has in mind though when He encourages us to meditate on scripture.

Some dictionary definitions of “meditate” include, “to engage in contemplation or reflection; to focus one’s thoughts on, reflect on, or ponder over; to think deeply about something; to dwell on any thing in thought; to study; to turn or revolve any subject in the mind; to ruminate”.

The Hebrew word used for meditate is “hâgâh”. This word means to murmur, ponder, imagine, mutter, speak, study, talk, or utter.

Therefore, based on these definitions, if I am to meditate on scripture I might find myself doing the following: Continue reading →