What Is Biblical Meditation?
Pastor Brad Abley: Biblical Educator and Religious Broadcaster
Ps. 119:15-16
What does he mean by “meditate?” What is biblical meditation?
In Ps. 119:15-16, the psalmist writes,
“I will meditate on Your precepts
And regard Your ways.
16 I shall delight in Your statutes;
I shall not forget Your word.”
He says he “will meditate on Your precepts.” What does he mean by “meditate?” What is biblical meditation?
The Hebrew word translated as “meditate” (v.15) is siyach, which means to ponder carefully over an important matter, and to converse with oneself aloud (cf. Rom. 10:17). It involves prayer and/or declaration. And it can mean to commune with, to muse on something.
Given the number of times this word appears in such a sublime psalm as Ps. 119 (cf. vv.23, 48, 78, 97, 148; cf. 1:2; Josh. 1:8-9), we might consider whether we engage in this life-giving spiritual discipline — so great and astounding that this writer says a few verses later in vv.47-48,
“I shall delight in Your commandments,
Which I love.
48 And I shall lift up my hands to Your commandments,
Which I love;
And I will meditate on Your statutes.”
Perhaps you noted how gratefully and reverently he treats the Word of God when he isn’t hesitant or ashamed to declare that he lifts up his hands to God, for His commandments, “which I love” (the Hebrew word translated “love” here is ahav, a friendship love for God and for His Word).
Psalm 119
“He who has an inward delight in anything will not long withdraw his mind from it. As the miser often returns to look upon his treasure, so does the devout believer by frequent meditation turn over the priceless wealth which he has discovered in the book of the Lord.
“To some men meditation is a task; to the man of cleansed way it is a joy. He who has meditated will meditate; he who saith, “I have rejoiced, “is the same who adds, “I will meditate.” No spiritual exercise is more profitable to the soul than that of devout meditation; why are many of us so exceeding slack in it?
“It is worthy of observation that the preceptory part of God’s word was David’s special subject of meditation, and this was the more natural because the question was still upon his mind as to how a young man should cleanse his way. Practical godliness is vital godliness.”[1]
It is rewarding beyond measure to meditate on God’s Word. The simplest way to do so is to read it aloud in prayer to Him, personalizing it. And to take this further, to memorize it, so that at any time you can recall the verse or passage, pray it, quote it, or share it with someone else.
The rewards are both present and eternal.”
[1] Charles H. Spurgeon, Psalms, The Treasury of David, Psalms 119 – Treasury of David – Bible Commentaries – StudyLight.org.
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