1. The Biblical Command to Meditate
The Lord commanded 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." Meditation was not optional for Joshua; it was essential for success and prosperity in God's work. The psalmist writes, "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly... but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night." Meditation is the mark of the blessed man. It is the practice of the righteous throughout Scripture.
2. The Hebrew Word for Meditation
The Hebrew word most often translated "meditate" is hagah, which means to murmur, to mutter, to speak to oneself, or to ponder. This word suggests that meditation is not silent in the Western sense. The believer speaks the words of Scripture aloud, rolling them on the tongue, thinking about them, and speaking them to himself. This physical act of speaking helps to internalize the Word. Meditation is active, not passive. It engages the lips, the mind, and the heart together.
3. The Difference Between Reading and Meditating
Reading gives the believer a broad view of Scripture. Meditation focuses on a small portion, often a single verse or phrase, and turns it over in the mind repeatedly. Reading is like a bird flying over a field; meditation is like a bird landing and pecking for seeds. Reading is necessary, but it is not enough. The believer must also meditate. A chapter read quickly will soon be forgotten. A verse meditated upon deeply will be written on the heart. Meditation is the slow, careful digestion of spiritual food.
4. The Object of Meditation: God's Word and Works
The psalmist meditates on God's law, precepts, statutes, and testimonies. He also meditates on God's works, wonders, and deeds. The object of meditation is the revelation of God—both His written Word and His mighty acts recorded in Scripture. Meditation is not emptying the mind but filling it with God's truth. It is not Eastern mysticism but biblical reflection. The believer meditates on what God has said and what God has done. The mind is active, not passive.
5. Meditation in the Psalms
The book of Psalms is filled with references to meditation. "I will meditate on Your precepts and contemplate Your ways." "My eyes are awake through the night watches, that I may meditate on Your word." "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer." The psalmist meditated during the day, during the night, while awake, and in the presence of God. Meditation was his constant companion. It was not a special retreat activity but a daily discipline.
6. The Process of Meditation
To meditate on a verse, first read it slowly several times. Second, memorize it, if possible, so that you can carry it with you through the day. Third, repeat it to yourself, emphasizing different words each time. Fourth, ask questions of the text: What does this teach about God? About man? About salvation? About obedience? Fifth, paraphrase the verse in your own words. Sixth, think of an illustration or application. Seventh, pray the verse back to God. This process turns reading into meditation and information into transformation.
7. Meditation as Prayer
The psalmist prayed, "Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law." Meditation is not a cold intellectual exercise; it is a conversation with God. The believer speaks to God about what he has read. He confesses sin revealed by the Word. He asks for strength to obey. He thanks God for promises. He praises God for His character. Meditation and prayer are inseparable. To meditate without prayer is to study without worship. To pray without meditation is to speak without listening. The believer does both.
8. The Goal of Meditation: Obedience and Transformation
Joshua was commanded to meditate so that he might observe to do all that was written. The goal of meditation is not knowledge but obedience. James writes, "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." Meditation is the bridge between hearing and doing. The one who meditates on the Word and obeys it is like a tree planted by streams of water. The one who hears but does not do is like a man who looks in a mirror and immediately forgets his appearance. Meditation leads to transformation.
9. The Time and Place for Meditation
The psalmist meditated in the night watches, in the morning, and throughout the day. Meditation is not confined to a specific time or place. It can happen while walking, while working, while driving, or while resting. The believer should set aside specific times for focused meditation—perhaps in the morning before the day begins or in the evening as the day ends. But meditation should also become a constant habit, returning to the Word throughout the day. The goal is to have God's Word dwell in the heart richly at all times.
10. The Promise of Blessing to Those Who Meditate
The first Psalm promises that the one who meditates on God's law day and night will be like a tree planted by rivers of water, bringing forth fruit in its season, whose leaf does not wither, and whatever he does will prosper. This is the promise to those who meditate. They are sustained in drought. They are fruitful in season. They prosper spiritually. Meditation is not a burden but a blessing. It is not a duty but a delight. The believer who learns to meditate on God's Word will find joy, peace, and stability in every circumstance.
Conclusion
The meditation method of Bible study involves deep, prayerful reflection on God's Word. It is the practice of repeating Scripture to oneself, pondering its meaning, and applying it to one's life. Joshua was commanded to meditate day and night. The psalmist declared it his delight. Meditation is the bridge between reading and obeying. It leads to transformation, fruitfulness, and blessing. Let every believer learn to meditate on God's Word day and night, storing it in the heart and living it out in the life.