Meditation

Spending time in quietness and usually alone, drawing close to God and listening to him, pondering on his word, his creation, his mighty works or other aspects of his self-revelation.

The importance of meditation

Psalm 1:1–3 See also 1 Samuel 12:24; Job 37:14; Psalm 19:14, Psalm 48:9, Psalm 77:11–12, Psalm 104:34, Psalm 107:43; Philippians 4:8; 2 Timothy 2:7

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the Law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in season, whose leaf does not wither, and who prospers in all he does.

Meditation on the person of God

Psalm 16:8, Psalm 63:6 See also Psalm 104:34

I have set the LORD always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

When I remember You on my bed, I think of You through the watches of the night.

Meditation on God's word

Psalm 119:15–16 See also Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:1–3, Psalm 119:23, Psalm 119:48, Psalm 119:78, Psalm 119:95, Psalm 119:97, Psalm 119:99

I will meditate on Your precepts and regard Your ways. I will delight in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.

Meditation on the works of God

Psalm 77:12 See also Psalm 111:2, Psalm 143:5, Psalm 145:5

I will reflect on all You have done and ponder Your mighty deeds.

Meditation on the creation

Psalm 8:1–9 See also Psalm 104:1–34; Proverbs 6:6; Matthew 6:26–30 parallel Luke 12:24–27

Meditation at night

Psalm 119:148 See also Psalm 16:7, Psalm 42:8, Psalm 63:6

My eyes anticipate the watches of night, that I may meditate on Your word.

Examples of people meditating

Joshua 1:8; Psalm 19:14 See also Job 22:22 Eliphaz' advice to Job; Psalm 39:3, Psalm 119:78, Psalm 119:148; Luke 2:19 Mary; Acts 8:27–35 the Ethiopian eunuch

This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in all you do.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

The results of meditation

Obedience

Psalm 119:11 See also Joshua 1:8; Psalm 119:55

I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.

Understanding and wisdom

Psalm 119:97–98 See also Psalm 119:27

Oh, how I love Your law! All day long it is my meditation. Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for they are always with me.

Praise and worship

Psalm 48:9–10, Psalm 63:5–6, Psalm 104:33–35, Psalm 119:97

Prosperity and success

Joshua 1:8

This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in all you do.

Delight in the LORD

Psalm 1:2 See also Psalm 119:15–16, Psalm 119:23–24, Psalm 119:77–78

But his delight is in the Law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night.

Confidence and faith

Psalm 16:8

I have set the LORD always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.