Reciting, in the context of the Bible, refers to the practice of verbally repeating or proclaiming Scripture, prayers, or religious teachings. This practice is deeply rooted in the Judeo-Christian tradition and serves as a means of memorization, meditation, and worship. Recitation is a vital component of both personal devotion and communal worship, reflecting the importance of God's Word in the life of believers.

Biblical Foundation

The practice of reciting Scripture is evident throughout the Bible. In the Old Testament, God commands His people to keep His words in their hearts and to teach them diligently to their children. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 states, "These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts. And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." This passage underscores the importance of recitation as a means of internalizing God's commandments and passing them on to future generations.

The Psalms, a collection of songs and prayers, were often recited in both personal and communal settings. Psalm 119, the longest chapter in the Bible, is a profound meditation on the beauty and necessity of God's law, with verses like Psalm 119:11 stating, "I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You." This highlights the role of recitation in spiritual formation and moral guidance.

New Testament Practice

In the New Testament, Jesus Himself exemplifies the practice of reciting Scripture. During His temptation in the wilderness, Jesus responds to Satan's challenges by quoting Scripture, as seen in Matthew 4:4 : "But Jesus answered, 'It is written: Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" This demonstrates the power and authority of God's Word when spoken aloud.

The early church also placed a strong emphasis on the public reading and recitation of Scripture. Paul, in his letters, encourages the public reading of his epistles. In 1 Timothy 4:13 , he instructs, "Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, and to teaching." This practice was integral to the teaching and edification of the early Christian communities.

The Role of Recitation in Worship and Education

Recitation serves multiple purposes within the Christian faith. It is a tool for worship, allowing believers to express their devotion and reverence for God. Reciting prayers, hymns, and creeds during worship services unites the congregation in a shared expression of faith.

In education, recitation aids in the memorization and understanding of Scripture. Catechisms and creeds, often learned through recitation, provide a structured way for believers to grasp the core tenets of their faith. This method of learning ensures that the teachings of the Bible are deeply ingrained in the hearts and minds of believers.

Spiritual Benefits

The spiritual benefits of reciting Scripture are manifold. It fosters a deeper connection with God, as believers meditate on His Word and allow it to shape their thoughts and actions. Recitation also serves as a defense against spiritual challenges, as demonstrated by Jesus' use of Scripture during His temptation.

Moreover, reciting Scripture can bring comfort and encouragement in times of distress. Passages committed to memory can be recalled in moments of need, providing strength and reassurance. As the Apostle Paul writes in Romans 15:4 , "For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope."

In summary, reciting is a foundational practice within the Christian tradition, deeply rooted in Scripture and essential for spiritual growth, worship, and education. Through the spoken Word, believers are drawn closer to God and equipped to live out their faith in the world.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Recite.

His First School. The School-House. The Teacher. The Order of ...
... The School-house. The Teacher. The Order of Reciting. Spelling Matches. ... The
School-house. The Teacher. The Order of Reciting. Spelling Matches. ...
/.../chapter ii his first school.htm

Of Scrupulosities About External Duties, as the Office, Fasting...
... 4. Therefore, forasmuch as concerns the public conventual reciting of the Office,
they may take notice that the obligation thereto does not at all lie upon ...
/.../chapter x of scrupulosities about.htm

Introduction to Apologia Contra Arianos.
... Circular of Egyptian bishops reciting the election of Athanasius, the plots and
charges against him, the history of the Mareotic Commission, the testimony ...
/.../introduction to apologia contra arianos.htm

Of Vocal Prayer. ...
... or sufficient to produce profound recollection; the which effects even those that
have long practised internal exercises do not find in the reciting of the ...
/.../chapter ii of vocal prayer .htm

That He who is to be Ordained a Bishop must be Steadfastly ...
... But as time went on, little by little this pious custom of reciting the Psalter
and of imposing its recitation and a meditation thereon at certain intervals ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon ii that he who.htm

Psalm XC.
... 6. Next, the man of God, or rather the Prophetic spirit, seems to be reciting some
law written in the secret wisdom of God, in which He has fixed a limit to ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xc.htm

The Iranian Conquest
... is the rule of good!" and proceeded to pour libations in honour of the river Dareja,
on the banks of which he had been born a moment before, reciting at the ...
/.../chapter ithe iranian conquest.htm

The visitation
... did. She said:] I saw as usual the two holy women with child standing opposite
one another in prayer and reciting the Magnificat. ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/ix the visitation.htm

The Epistle Written by Malchion,
... and his wishing to be styled procurator [1396] rather than bishop, and his strutting
through the market-places, and reading letters and reciting them [1397] as ...
/.../malchion/the epistle of malchion/i the epistle written by malchion.htm

History of Public Speaking
... is well-known, by earnest daily practise in declaiming on the sea-shore, with pebbles
in the mouth, walking up and down hill while reciting, and deliberately ...
/.../kleiser/successful methods of public speaking/history of public speaking.htm

Reciting (1 Occurrence)
... & vb. n.) of Recite. Multi-Version Concordance Reciting (1 Occurrence). Deuteronomy
32:45 Moses made an end of speaking all these words to all Israel; (See NIV) ...
/r/reciting.htm - 6k

Reckless (8 Occurrences)

/r/reckless.htm - 8k

Recited (1 Occurrence)

/r/recited.htm - 6k

Reading (58 Occurrences)
... authority; lection; version. 6. (n.) Manner of reciting, or acting a part,
on the stage; way of rendering. 7. (n.) An observation ...
/r/reading.htm - 27k

Magician (5 Occurrences)
... He may not know much of the causal agency; it is enough for him to know that by
performing some act or reciting some formula (see CHARM) or carrying some ...
/m/magician.htm - 24k

Calling (145 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) A naming, or inviting; a reading over or reciting in order, or a call of
names with a view to obtaining an answer, as in legislative bodies. ...
/c/calling.htm - 38k

Charm (5 Occurrences)
... The stress laid on the mode of reciting magical charms necessitated the existence
of a priestly class and did much to increase the power of such a class. ...
/c/charm.htm - 14k

Chant (2 Occurrences)
... called a chant. 4. (vi) To make melody with the voice; to sing. 5. (vi) To
sing, as in reciting a chant. 6. (vt) Song; melody. 7. (n ...
/c/chant.htm - 8k

Crib (3 Occurrences)
... 9. (n.) A small theft; anything purloined; a plagiaris; hence, a translation or
key, etc., to aid a student in preparing or reciting his lessons. 10. ...
/c/crib.htm - 9k

Statement (88 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The act of stating, reciting, or presenting, orally
or in paper; as, to interrupt a speaker in the statement of his case. ...
/s/statement.htm - 31k

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