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What the Bible Says About Meditation

Overview

The Bible addresses meditation across 42 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Psalms, 1 Timothy and Genesis. Closely related themes include Wicked, Integrity, Rich, The and Temptation. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Isaac.

Key Bible verses about meditation

Old Testament

Psalms

Psalms 1:2

But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

Psalms 4:4

Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.

Psalms 19:14

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. strength: Heb. rock

Psalms 39:3

My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue,

Psalms 49:3

My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.

Psalms 63:5

My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips: marrow: Heb. fatness

Psalms 63:6

When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.

Psalms 73:12

Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.

Psalms 73:13

Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.

Psalms 73:14

For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning. chastened: Heb. my chastisement was

Psalms 73:15

If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.

Psalms 73:16

When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; too: Heb. labour in mine eyes

Psalms 73:17

Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.

Psalms 73:18

Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.

Psalms 73:19

How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.

Psalms 73:20

As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.

Psalms 73:21

Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.

Psalms 73:22

So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee. ignorant: Heb. I knew not before Heb. with

Psalms 77:10

And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High.

Psalms 77:11

I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old.

Psalms 77:12

I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.

Psalms 104:34

My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.

Psalms 119:11

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

Psalms 119:15

I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.

Psalms 119:16

I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.

Psalms 119:23

Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.

Psalms 119:48

My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.

Psalms 119:55

I have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept thy law.

Psalms 119:59

I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.

Psalms 119:78

Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts.

Psalms 119:97

MEM. O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.

Psalms 119:98

Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. they: Heb. it is ever with me

Psalms 119:99

I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.

Psalms 119:148

Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.

Psalms 139:17

How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!

Psalms 139:18

If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.

Psalms 143:5

I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.

People in the Bible and meditation

Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.

In the Bible dictionary

Studying meditation for yourself

  • Begin with Genesis 24:63, then read the passages below in canonical order.
  • Compare how Psalms, 1 Timothy and Genesis each treat the theme.
  • Consider the lives of Isaac and how their stories intersect with it.
  • Widen the study to related themes: Wicked, Integrity, Rich, The and Temptation.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about meditation?

The Bible addresses meditation across 42 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Psalms, 1 Timothy and Genesis. Closely related themes include Wicked, Integrity, Rich, The and Temptation. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Isaac.

How many Bible verses are about meditation?

The Bible references meditation in 42 verses (King James Version).

Where does the Bible first mention meditation?

In canonical order, the first of these passages is Genesis 24:63: “And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide: and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, the camels were coming. to meditate: or, to pray”

Which people in the Bible are associated with meditation?

Isaac.

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