Meditation or Perspiration

Attend to me, and listen to me; I was vexed in my pondering and was troubled by the noise of an enemy and by the affliction of a sinner . . .  Psalm 54:3-4a  LXX Pondering – The Hebrew text of this verse uses the word śîaḥ, from a verb that means “meditate, muse, commune,…

Wallflower Witnessing

I will come with the mighty deeds of the Lord God; I will make mention of Your righteousness, Yours alone.  Psalm 71:16  NASB Make mention – What do you think about the choice “make mention” for the verb zākar?  Does it capture the feeling of this verse?  Not for me!  “I will come with the mighty deeds”…

Dove Tales

My mouth will speak wisdom, and the meditation of my heart will be understanding.  Psalm 49:3  NASB Meditation – “Do you meditate?”  Whenever someone asks me that question, I’m never quite sure how to answer.  Why?  Because I’m not quite sure what meditation really means.  Should I start chanting?  Should I sit in the lotus position and…

How to Read the Bible (1)

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will achieve success.  Joshua 1:8  NASB Mouth/ meditate/ careful…

The Context of Meditation

A Prayer of the afflicted when he is weak and pours out his complaint before the Lord.  Psalm 102 NASB Complaint – You’re praying.  You feel oppressed and downtrodden.  You acknowledge your total dependency on God. You’re weak; He’s strong.  You kneel before Him—His servant, His child.  And you complain? Before we tackle the noun “complaint” we…

Night Moves

When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches,  Psalm 63:6 NASB Remember/meditate – “Now I lay me down to sleep,” but it rarely happens so easily.  Nursery rhymes are wishful fables.  Sleep is far more difficult.  The room is dark.  The noise of the day is finished, but there are…

Growl and Moan

This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. Joshua 1:8 NASB Meditate –…

Known by Synonyms

One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to meditate in His temple. Psalm 27:4 NASB Meditate – David wishes to complete two actions in the full…

Meditate

Not reading Not reading and thinking Not reading, thinking and contemplating Rather meditation is offering It is offering back to God the Scripture He has given us As our part of the divine conversation This is God’s love story When we give back to Him the gift He has given We say, “Yes, Lord, I…