There are several avenues by which to grow and mature spiritually as a Christian. One of those ways—a very basic starting point—is by meditating on God’s word. Two Old Testament passages immediately come to mind when thinking about meditating on God’s word. First, as part of God’s commission to Joshua, the Lord told him:

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe 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. (Josh 1:8)

Second, the psalmist eloquently wrote of the “blessed” person. In contrast to walking, standing, and sitting with the ungodly, sinners, and scornful, the psalmist declared, “But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night” (Ps. 1:1-2).

The word “meditate” means to “think deeply or focus one’s mind for a period of time, in silence … [sometimes] for religious or spiritual purposes” (dictionary.com). According to Vine’s Expository Dictionary, it carries with it to “moan, growl, utter, speak” (151). Bratcher and Reyburn, in their Translator’s Handbook on the Book of Psalms, give synonyms such as “reads carefully … studies … pours over … read in an undertone,” then add that the word means “intensive, careful reading and study” (18). While any kind of Bible reading, no matter how deep, is profitable, only by deep study and reflection on God’s word can a person even begin to grow spiritually.

“Meditate” in Psalm 119“

The English word “meditate” appears more in Psalm 119 than in any other chapter in the Bible (Ps. 119:15, 27, 48, 78, 148). This is very fitting, seeing this is a psalm that exalts the word of God. There are eight different words in Psalm 119 that are used in reference to God’s word. These are: (1) “law” (torah, always singular, 25x)—general instruction for righteous living; (2) “word” (dabar, 24x)—any word from God; divine revelation (Deut 4:2, 10, 13); (3) “judgments [rules, ESV]” (mispatim, always plural, 23x)—legal decisions (Ps. 119:7, 62, 106); (4) “statutes/testimony” (edut, 23x)—witness; testify (Ps. 25:10; 132:12); (5) “commandment(s)” (miswah, 22x)—anything the covenant God ordered or commanded (Ps. 119:86, 98, 151, 172); (6) “decrees/righteous judgments” (huqqin, 21x) — from a root meaning to engrave, or inscribe (Ps. 148:1-6); (7) “precepts” (piqqudim, only in Psalms, 21x)—the authority God has laid down (Ps. 119:56, 63, 173); and (8) “word [promise, ESV]” (imrah, 19x)—anything God has spoken, commanded, or promised (Ps.119:50, 116, 154). All of these words and the principles they represent are worthy of our meditation!

“Meditate” in the New Testament

The word “meditate” appears three times in the New Testament (NKJ), from three different words. First, Jesus told the apostles, “Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer” (Lk. 21:14). Here “meditate” (from promeletao, προμελετάω) means to think and prepare ahead of time. Jesus promised His apostles that the Holy Spirit would reveal to them all they needed to speak as they defended the faith before adversaries (cf. Mt. 10:19; Mk. 13:11; Lk. 12:11; Jn. 14:26; 15:26; 16:13). Second, Paul wrote to the Philippians, “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things” (Phil. 4:8). Here, “meditate” (from logizomai, λογίζομαι) means to consider, evaluate, think on, reflect upon. Indeed, as a person “thinks in his heart, so is he” (Pr. 23:7). Thus, as per Paul’s instruction, we must meditate on spiritually good things (cf. Col. 3:1-2). Third, Paul instructed Timothy, “Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine … Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all” (1 Tim. 4:13-15). Here, “meditate” (from meletao, μελετάω) means to practice, cultivate; think about (Acts 4:25, “plot”). Preachers must continue to build-up themselves and the church by focusing upon and practicing the word of God (cf. Jas. 1:21-25). No matter our station in life, we will immensely benefit from meditating on God’s word!

Meditating on God’s Word Is Key To:

When considering Bible passages that mention meditating on God’s word and/or that which God’s word approves, there emerges key blessings.

Victory Again, note the words to Joshua: This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe 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. (Josh. 1:8) Joshua’s success was predicated upon his meditating and doing what was contained in the “Book of the Law.” Only by meditating on God’s word can we know what we must do to obey God’s word.

God’s Approval Again, note the contrast in this Psalm between the ungodly and the righteous, summed-up in the last verse, “For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish” (Ps. 1:6). The word “know” here does not merely mean intellectual awareness, but it carries the idea of approval. The Lord approves the way of the righteous! Because the righteous “delight” in God’s word, he constantly “meditates” on it (Ps. 1:2). As a result, he shall grow and prosper, “like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither” (Ps. 1:3). Do we delight in God’s law? If so, we will meditate on it, do it, and be approved by God.

Confidence in God The psalmist wrote, “I will remember the works of the Lord; Surely I will remember Your wonders of old. I will also meditate on all Your work, And talk of Your deeds” (Ps. 77:11-12). This was in a context of “the day of … trouble” when the psalmist’s “soul refused to be comforted” (Ps. 77:2). However, the psalmist began his move from despair to comfort: “I call to remembrance my song in the night; I meditate within my heart, And my spirit makes diligent search” (Ps. 77:6). When he remembered the “works of the Lord,” meditated on those works, and talked of what God had done in the past, his confidence in God was restored (Ps. 77:13-20). When we are discouraged, meditate on what God has done for His people in the past (Rom. 15:4).

Being in God’s “Book” “Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, And the Lord listened and heard them; So a book of remembrance was written before Him For those who fear the Lord And who meditate on His name” (Mal. 3:16). Note the connection between those who “feared the Lord” and His listening to them. Note also that those who feared the Lord meditated on His name. This “book of remembrance” is, as it were, the way God let the people know He will not forget them. “‘They shall be Mine,’ says the Lord of hosts, ‘On the day that I make them My jewels. And I will spare them As a man spares his own son who serves him’” (Mal. 3:17). The Bible speaks of His “book” elsewhere (Ex. 32:31-32; Ps. 139:16 [cf. Ps. 68:28; Isa. 4:3; Dan. 12:1; Phil. 4:3; Heb. 12:23; Rev. 3:5). Being in this “book” will forever be a blessing for those who now fear God and meditate on all for which He stands as revealed in His word (cf. Rev. 20:11-15).

Unprecedented Peace Immediately before informing his readers on what they should meditate, Paul mentioned “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” (Phil. 4:7). This unfathomable peace is thus maintained by meditating on:

[W]hatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy. (Phil. 4:8)

Again, as a person “thinks in his heart, so is he” (Pr. 23:7). Thus, if we continually meditate on what God deems as good, no matter what we face in life, we will have the unprecedented peace as Jesus promised “in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (Jn. 16:33).

Continued Growth As stated earlier, the “these things” on which Paul told Timothy to meditate included “reading … exhortation [and] … doctrine” (1 Tim. 4:13-15). These things are essential to spiritual growth! Since “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17), our faith can never outrun our knowledge of God, for “he who comes to God must believe that He is [which predicates knowledge], and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Heb. 11:6)! True exhortation must also be based on God’s word (1 Cor. 14:6, 15-17, 26-33). Without a continually increasing knowledge based on a continually increasing meditation of God’s word, we cannot “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 3:18).

Conclusion

While reading God’s word is to some extent always profitable, it is only through meditation on Scripture that we can begin to seriously grow into the people God wants. Let us have the same attitude as the psalmist:

Make me understand the way of Your precepts; So shall I meditate on Your wondrous works. (Ps. 119:27)
My hands also I will lift up to Your commandments, Which I love, And I will meditate on Your statutes. (Ps. 119:48)