Topical Bible: Meditation: General Scriptures Concerning

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Meditation, in the biblical context, refers to the practice of deeply contemplating, reflecting upon, and internalizing the truths and teachings of Scripture. It is a spiritual discipline that involves focusing one's mind on God's Word and His attributes, allowing for a deeper understanding and connection with the divine.

Old Testament References

1. Joshua 1:8 : "This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth; you are to meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in all you do." This verse underscores the importance of constant meditation on God's Law as a means to ensure obedience and success.

2. Psalm 1:2 : "But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night." Here, meditation is portrayed as a source of delight and a continuous practice that characterizes the righteous.

3. Psalm 19:14 : "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." This verse highlights meditation as an offering to God, aligning one's thoughts and words with His will.

4. Psalm 119:15 : "I will meditate on Your precepts and regard Your ways." The psalmist expresses a commitment to meditation as a means of understanding and following God's commands.

5. Psalm 119:97 : "Oh, how I love Your law! All day long it is my meditation." This verse reflects a deep love for God's law, with meditation being a constant, day-long activity.

New Testament References

1. Philippians 4:8 : "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things." While not using the word "meditate," this verse encourages believers to focus their thoughts on virtuous and praiseworthy matters, akin to meditation.

2. 1 Timothy 4:15 : "Be diligent in these matters and absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all." This instruction to Timothy emphasizes the importance of being absorbed in spiritual matters, which aligns with the concept of meditation.

Purpose and Practice

Meditation in the biblical sense is not an emptying of the mind, but rather a filling of the mind with God's Word. It involves a deliberate focus on Scripture, allowing it to permeate one's thoughts and actions. This practice is intended to foster spiritual growth, enhance understanding, and cultivate a closer relationship with God.

Benefits of Meditation

The Scriptures suggest several benefits of meditation, including spiritual prosperity (Joshua 1:8), delight and joy (Psalm 1:2), alignment with God's will (Psalm 19:14), and a deeper love for God's law (Psalm 119:97). Through meditation, believers are encouraged to internalize God's truths, leading to a transformed life that reflects His character and purposes.

Nave's Topical Index

Joshua 1:8
This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth; but you shall meditate therein day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success.
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Psalm 1:2
But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law does he meditate day and night.
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Psalm 4:4
Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart on your bed, and be still. Selah.
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Psalm 19:14
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
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Psalm 39:3
My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spoke I with my tongue,
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Psalm 49:3
My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.
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Psalm 63:5,6
My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise you with joyful lips:
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Psalm 73:12-22
Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.
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Psalm 77:10-12
And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High.
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Psalm 104:34
My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.
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Psalm 119:11,15,16,23,48,55,59,78,97-99,148
Your word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
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Psalm 139:17,18
How precious also are your thoughts to me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
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Psalm 143:5
I remember the days of old; I meditate on all your works; I muse on the work of your hands.
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1 Timothy 4:13-15
Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
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Library

Letter ix. Meditation.
... closest meditation to understand the Holy Scriptures, and apply ... be found sufficient
for one season of meditation. ... actions, with reference to the general good. ...
/.../a practical directory for young christian females/letter ix meditation.htm

Search the Scriptures
... in the word of God, and read, Search the Scriptures, for in ... The general notion of
the mass is, that we are ... is the man of my right hand, my meditation both day ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/search the scriptures.htm

The Scriptures Reveal Eternal Life through Jesus Christ
... There was nothing more general among that people, than ... is not bare reading of the
Scriptures that will ... within meditate on them, and by meditation accomplish a ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture iv the scriptures reveal.htm

Concerning Worship.
... other so frequently commanded in the holy scriptures, as may ... of the Spirit, save
only that general one of ... hence appear we are not against meditation, as some ...
/.../proposition xi concerning worship.htm

Of Passages from the Holy Scriptures, and from the Apocrypha ...
... religion which is delivered in the Scriptures, and which ... assiduous they may be in
study, meditation, and prayer ... custom is just a kind of general pestilence in ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/of passages from the holy.htm

Verse the Seventeenth
... it is well known to be a very general practice to ... and from the familiar usage of
the Scriptures.5. Concerning ... which is the subject of our meditation, "He says ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/verse the seventeenth.htm

Introduction
... Instruction how to Confess; Of Meditation on the ... congregation, but for the Christian
layman in general. ... of the New Testament Scriptures concerning the way of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/a treatise on good works/introduction.htm

The First Delegated General Conference of 1812
... to express a few thoughts concerning the view ... "The Address of the General Conference
to ... Prayer, praise, searching the Scriptures, meditation, and waiting on God ...
/.../chapter 1 the first delegated.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1828 to the Beginning ...
... walk in the field, for meditation and private ... upon our doctrine, discipline, and
general economy, which was ... translated in the sacred Scriptures, to foreordain ...
/.../chapter 10 from the close.htm

An Examination of the Treatise of William Perkins Concerning the ...
... mode, refers to all acts in general, which can ... only be correctly explained according
to the Scriptures. ... he could delight in sorrowful meditation in reference ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 3/an examination of the treatise.htm