Saturday, April 16, 2005

Meditation in the Psalms

In the Psalms, as well as in the Bible in general, meditation is not about emptying our minds, but about filling our hearts and mouths with the things of God: the words, the works, the wonders, the majesty and the love of God, and ultimately, on God Himself. Here are some Hebrew words concerning meditation:
  • Damah — to compare or consider
  • Siyach — to ponder and converse with oneself (aloud)
  • Hagah — to ponder or imagine; literally, to murmer
Benefits of Meditation
Let the words of my mouth
  and the meditation [higgayon, from hagah] of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight,
  O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.
(Psalm 19:14)
The word for “acceptable” means pleasure, delight and favor. When we learn to meditate on the things of God, it is a delight to Him and brings forth His favor.
My mouth shall speak wisdom,
And the meditation [haguth, from hagah] of my heart shall give understanding.
(Psalm 49:3)
Meditation brings understanding. When we put it in our mouth and speak it forth, it is the wisdom of God.
Hear my voice, O God, in my meditation [siyach];
Preserve my life from fear of the enemy.
(Psalm 64:1)
Some people meditate on the enemy, but when our meditation is on God, He hears, and we are delivered from fear of the enemy.
May my meditation [siyach] be sweet to Him;
I will be glad in the LORD.
(Psalm 104:34)
Meditating on the things of God is sweet to Him and brings delight and joy to us as well.
I have more understanding than all my teachers,
For Your testimonies are my meditation [siychah, from siyach].
(Psalm 119:99)
Meditation on the truths of God’s Word give us understanding, more than our teachers can give.
Evening and morning and at noon
I will pray [siyach], and cry aloud,
And He shall hear my voice.
(Psalm 55:17)
Anytime day or night, when we meditate on God and cry out to Him, He hears us, and hearing us, He acts on our behalf.

On the Word of God

Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates [hagah] day and night.
(Psalm 1:1-2)
My eyes are awake through the night watches,
That I may meditate [siyach] on Your Word.
(Psalm 119:148)

I will meditate [siyach] on Your precepts,
And contemplate Your ways.
(Psalm 119:15)
On the Works of God
I have considered the days of old,
  The years of ancient times.
  I call to remembrance my song in the night;
I meditate [siyach] within my heart,
  And my spirit makes diligent search….
I will also meditate [hagah] on all Your work,
  And talk of Your deeds.
(Psalm 77:5-6, 12)

I remember the days of old;
I meditate [hagah] on all Your works;
I muse [siyach] on the work of Your hands.
(Psalm 143:5)
On the Wonders of God
Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him;
Talk [siyach] of all His wondrous works!
(Psalm 105:2)

Make me understand the way of Your precepts;
So shall I meditate [siyach] on Your wondrous works.
(Psalm 119:27)
On the Majesty of God
I will meditate [siyach] on the glorious splendor of Your majesty,
And on Your wondrous works.
(Psalm 145:5)
On the Love of God
Within Your temple, O God,
We meditate [damah] on Your unfailing love.
(Psalm 48:9 NIV)
On God Himself
When I remember You on my bed,
I meditate [hagah] on You in the night watches.
(Psalm 63:6)
Meditate on God and the things of God at all times. Let them fill your heart, your mouth and your mind, and the blessings and benefits of God will begin to fill your life.

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