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
But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
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
My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue,
My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.
My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips: marrow: Heb. fatness
When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.
Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.
Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.
For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning. chastened: Heb. my chastisement was
If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.
When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; too: Heb. labour in mine eyes
Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.
Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.
How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.
As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.
Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.
So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee. ignorant: Heb. I knew not before Heb. with
And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High.
I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old.
I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.
My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.
I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.
Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.
My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.
I have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept thy law.
I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.
Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts.
MEM. O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.
Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. they: Heb. it is ever with me
I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.
Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.
How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.
I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.
New Testament
1 Timothy
Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. to all: or, in all things
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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