Meditation
MEDITATION
Introduction: { Define}
MEDITATION
The practice of reflection or contemplation. The word meditation or its verb form, to meditate, is found mainly in the Old Testament. The Hebrew words behind this concept mean "to murmur, "a murmuring," "sighing," or "moaning." This concept is reflected in , where the "blessed man" meditates on God's law day and night. The psalmist also prayed that the meditation of his heart would be acceptable in God's sight . Joshua was instructed to meditate on the Book of the Law for the purpose of obeying all that was written in it .
The Greek word translated as meditate occurs only twice in the New Testament. In Jesus instructed His disciples not "to meditate beforehand" in answering their adversaries when the end of the age comes. The word may be understood in this passage as the idea of preparing a defense for a court appearance. Paul, in <1 Timothy 4:15>, urged Timothy to meditate, or take pains with, the instructions he gives. The idea of meditation is also found in and .
Meditation is a lost art for many Christians, but the practice needs to be cultivated again.
(from Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary)
(Copyright (C) 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)
[1] Meditation on God and his law.
Ps 63:6
6 When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.
(KJV)
Ps 1:1-2
1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
(KJV)
[2] Meditation, enjoined and encourage
1 Tim 4:13-16
13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
(KJV)
[3] The preciousness of meditation.
Ps 104:34
34 My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.
(KJV)
Ps 139:17-18
17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
18 If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.
(KJV)
[4] Meditation divinely acceptable.
Ps 19:14
14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
(KJV)
[5] Medation essential to true action and success.
Josh 1:8
8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
(KJV)
