Articles
Meditation
Meditation is something practiced by many eastern religions (Hinduism, Buddhism). The practice of meditation plays a huge role in some of these religions as one tries to connect with the world around them and calm their mind. One can meditate on a variety of different things. One can meditate or focus on such things as breathing, a candle flame, one’s feelings toward self and others, etc. Meditation is something commanded in the Bible but the form of meditation and the object of meditation is often different from that practiced in the various eastern religions.
What is meditation according to the Bible? Psalm 77:6 may help us understand from a Biblical perspective what is meant by meditating. The Psalmist says, “I call to remembrance my song in the night; I meditate within my heart, and my spirit mades diligent search” (NKJV). Meditation is something done within the heart or the mind. Meditation is when one’s spirit is making diligent search of something or pondering something diligently. Psalm 119:15 is another passage which might help us understand what the Bible is speaking about when it talks about meditation. It says, “I will meditate on Your precepts, and contemplate Your ways” (NKJV). To meditate upon something is here parallel to the concept of contemplating something. Psalm 143:5 gives us some more information about meditation in the Bible. It says, “I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your works; I muse on the work of Your hands” (NKJV). Here meditation is placed alongside activities like remembering, musing, or pondering. Meditation according to the Bible would seem to involve remembering certain things, pondering or contemplating upon those things, and making a careful search into certain things.
What is a person to meditate upon according to the Bible?
- The Bible speaks about our need to meditate upon God’s law. Joshua was commanded, “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” (Joshua 1:9, NKJV). Psalm 1:2 describes the blessed man in the following way, “But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night” (NKJV). Psalm 119 will make reference throughout it to meditating upon God’s word (Psalm 119:15, 23, 48, 78, 97, 99, 148). In the New Testament, Timothy is instructed to, “Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all” (1 Timothy 4:15, NKJV). Some of the things Timothy needs to meditate on would include the reading of scripture, exhortation, and on the doctrine (1 Timothy 4:13, 16). Are we people who meditate and give serious consideration to what God’s law says?
- The Bible also speaks about out need to meditate upon God. Psalm 63:6 says, “When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches” (NKJV). The Psalmist is meditating upon God according to this verse in the night watches. Malachi 3:16 speaks about people who meditate on God’s name. Meditating on God’s name would involve meditating upon who God is, His character, His attributes, etc. When we meditate upon God, it would be proper as well to meditate upon the works of God (Psalm 77:12; 119:27; 143:5). Psalm 145:5 says, “I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty, and on Your wonderful works” (NKJV). We can meditate upon how powerful God is and the great things God has done.
- Philippians 4:8 lists several types of things we ought to meditate upon. It says, “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” (NKJV). God expects us not to meditate upon things which do not fall into these categories and requires us to meditate on the sort of things mentioned here. Our meditation will only be acceptable to God when we are meditating on those things God would have us to meditate upon (Psalm 19:14).
The Bible teaches us to meditate on these things day and night (Joshua 1:9; Psalm 1:2), while upon our bed or during the night watches (Psalm 4:4; 63:6; 119:148). Psalm 119:97 puts it well in saying, “Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day” (NKJV). God wants us to meditate upon these things all the time.
One of the reasons we meditate on things like the law of God is, “that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it” (Joshua 1:9, NKJV). The results of meditating on these things in the way the Bible teaches are: 1. Our way will be prosperous and we will have good success (Joshua 1:9). 2. Our understanding will increase beyond our teachers (Psalm 119:99). 3. Our progress will be evident to all (1 Timothy 4:15).
