Biblical Meditation

May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the LORD. 

Psalm 104:34

One of the deepest of spiritual experiences is the richly rewarding practice of biblical meditation. But to understand what the scriptures mean by meditation we must dismiss from our thinking any concepts of Eastern mysticism. Our modern view of meditation is that of "emptying the mind" (which is an impossibility). But God's Word teaches us that biblical meditation is the opposite: It is filling the mind with what scripture teaches.

Biblical meditation is closely linked with memorization. It is the deliberate process of centering our attention on scripture, its meaning and its application to our lives. It is not easy to do. It is work. It requires deliberate use of time. It involves backstudy of the text prior to thinking on it, continued study as we think, and further thought as we evaluate its application. But it is hugely rewarding.

Bible-saturated thinking renews our minds. It builds us up. It is worship. It grows us and builds others. It shapes a Christian worldview. Meditation then is careful, deliberate thinking about God through His Word.