22 Benefits of Meditating on Scripture

March 13, 2015  |  Justin Taylor

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Joel Beeke, in his essay on “The Puritan Practice of Meditation,” writes that “The Puritans
devoted scores of pages to the benefits, excellencies, usefulness, advantages, or
improvements of meditation.” Dr. Beeke lists some of the benefits as follows:

1. Meditation helps us focus on the Triune God, to love and to enjoy Him in all His
persons (1 John 4:8)—intellectually, spiritually, aesthetically.
2. Meditation helps increase knowledge of sacred truth. It “takes the veil from the face
of truth” (Prov. 4:2).
3. Meditation is the “nurse of wisdom,” for it promotes the fear of God, which is the
beginning of wisdom (Prov. 1:8).
4. Meditation enlarges our faith by helping us to trust the God of promises in all our
spiritual troubles and the God of providence in all our outward troubles.
5. Meditation augments one’s affections. Watson called meditation “the bellows of the
affections.” He said, “Meditation hatcheth good affections, as the hen her young ones
by sitting on them; we light affection at this fire of meditation” (Ps. 39:3).
6. Meditation fosters repentance and reformation of life (Ps. 119:59; Ez. 36:31).
7. Meditation is a great friend to memory.
8. Meditation helps us view worship as a discipline to be cultivated. It makes us prefer
God’s house to our own.
9. Meditation transfuses Scripture through the texture of the soul.
10. Meditation is a great aid to prayer (Ps. 5:1). It tunes the instrument of prayer before
prayer.
11. Meditation helps us to hear and read the Word with real benefit. It makes the Word
“full of life and energy to our souls.” William Bates wrote, “Hearing the word is like
ingestion, and when we meditate upon the word that is digestion; and this digestion of
the word by meditation produceth warm affections, zealous resolutions, and holy
actions.”
12. Meditation on the sacraments helps our “graces to be better and stronger.” It helps
faith, hope, love, humility, and numerous spiritual comforts thrive in the soul.
13. Meditation stresses the heinousness of sin. It “musters up all weapons, and gathers all
forces of arguments for to presse our sins, and lay them heavy upon the heart,” wrote
Fenner. Thomas Hooker said, “Meditation sharpens the sting and strength of
corruption, that it pierceth more prevailingly.” It is a “strong antidote against sin” and
“a cure of covetousness.”
14. Meditation enables us to “discharge religious duties, because it conveys to the soul the
lively sense and feeling of God’s goodness; so the soul is encouraged to duty.”
15. Meditation helps prevent vain and sinful thoughts (Jer. 4:14; Matt. 12:35). It helps
wean us from this present evil age.
16. Meditation provides inner resources on which to draw (Ps. 77:10-12), including
direction for daily life (Prov. 6:21-22).
17. Meditation helps us persevere in faith; it keeps our hearts “savoury and spiritual in the
midst of all our outward and worldly employments,” wrote William Bridge.
18. Meditation is a mighty weapon to ward off Satan and temptation (Ps. 119:11,15; 1
John 2:14).
 19. Meditation provides relief in afflictions (Is. 49:15-17; Heb. 12:5).
20. Meditation helps us benefit others with our spiritual fellowship and counsel (Ps.
66:16; 77:12; 145:7).
21. Meditation promotes gratitude for all the blessings showered upon us by God through
His Son.
22. Meditation glorifies God (Ps. 49:3).

Meditate On Scripture
Joshua 1:8 ESV / 9 helpful votes

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 good success.

Psalm 119:11 ESV / 8 helpful votes

I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

Psalm 1:1-6 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of
sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law
he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in
its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so,
but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the
judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; ...

Colossians 3:16 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all
wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to
God.

Philippians 4:8 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything
worthy of praise, think about these things.

Psalm 1:2 ESV / 4 helpful votes

But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV / 3 helpful votes

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction,
and for training in righteousness,
Acts 11:16 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will
be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’

John 5:39 ESV / 3 helpful votes

You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they
that bear witness about me,

John 1:14 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the
only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Psalm 119:97 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day.

Psalm 119:15 ESV / 3 helpful votes

I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.

Psalm 1:1 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of
sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;

1 John 5:14-15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his
will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have
the requests that we have asked of him.

1 John 2:1-29 ESV / 2 helpful votes

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone
does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the
propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. And
by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever
says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him,
but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know
that we are in him: ...

2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction,
and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every
good work.
2 Timothy 3:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able
to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 2:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be
ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

2 Timothy 1:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but
share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,

1 Timothy 4:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of
God in Christ Jesus for you.

Philippians 4:6-7 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which
surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Romans 15:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through
endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Romans 10:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

John 15:20 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they
persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.

John 15:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes

If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done
for you.
John 14:26 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all
things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

Luke 24:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And they remembered his words,

Matthew 24:35 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

Matthew 12:35 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil
treasure brings forth evil.

Matthew 5:43 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’

Jeremiah 15:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight
of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts.

Proverbs 2:1-8 ESV / 2 helpful votes

My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your
ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for
insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for
hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of
God. ...

Psalm 145:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes

They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of your
righteousness.

Psalm 119:148 ESV / 2 helpful votes

My eyes are awake before the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promise.

Psalm 119:98 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me.
Psalm 119:89 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens.

Psalm 119:78 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Let the insolent be put to shame, because they have wronged me with falsehood; as for me, I
will meditate on your precepts.

Psalm 119:23 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Even though princes sit plotting against me, your servant will meditate on your statutes.

Psalm 77:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes

I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds.

Psalm 77:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old.

Psalm 23:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes

A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Psalm 1:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes

He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does
not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.

Deuteronomy 6:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.

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Meditation on the Scriptures: The Key to

Personal Transformation
01/06/2017  | Peter Adam

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Bible & Theology

We should be consciously trying to change our lives all the time (unless we are already
sinless!) We should be aiming to die to sin and live to righteousness every day; to escape the
power of the lies of our past or the lies of Satan; to live in the truth, love, and freedom of
God; to stop being controlled by our sinful flesh; and to see the fruit of the Spirit in our lives.

The means God has provided to enable this to happen is the Bible: for God’s words are
powerful to change us, because they were written by God the Holy Spirit—and the same
Spirit applies them to our hearts and lives today.

But this is unlikely to be effective with a ‘read, run, and forget’ approach to reading the
Bible. Our lives are so full of activity, information, responsibilities, worries, information,
input and people, that we quickly forget our morning Bible reading, and quickly forget our
weekly sermon, even if we preach it!

Meditation!

That’s why God has told us not just to read or hear his words, but meditate on them. To
meditate is to reflect on, to ponder, to mull over, to talk about, to re-read, to re-hear, to say to
others, and to hear from the lips of others.

We learn in Psalm 1 that God blesses those who: ‘do not follow the advice of the wicked, or
take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers’ (1:1).

Our meditations or self-talk or self-reflection often express worry, unbelief, criticism of

others or ourselves, busyness, activities, complaints, or tension. We should replace worldly
meditation with godly meditation. Good meditation should replace bad meditation: healthy
meditation should replace unhealthy meditation. As Psalm 1 tells us, God blesses those who
both delight in and meditate on God’s teaching: ‘but their delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law they meditate day and night’ (1:2).

It is only delighting in and meditating on God’s teaching, which will fill our minds, hearts
and lives with God’s truth, rather than the rubbish found all around us. If garbage goes into
our minds, garbage will come out. If God’s words go into our minds, then God’s words will
come out in our life, speech, and actions.  And we will become fertile and fruitful, as Psalm 1
tells us:

They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their
leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper (1:3).

True Mind-full-ness

In Biblical meditation, our aim is not to empty our minds and consciousness, but to fill them
with the words and works of God. For meditation on the words of God see Psalm
119:15,23,27,48,78,97,99,148; for meditation on the works of God see Psalms 77:12, 119:27,
143:5, and 145:5. And we can only meditate on the works of God as we read of them in the
words of God.

And what did Biblical meditation mean in practice? 

Deuteronomy tells us:

You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all
your might. Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to
your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you
lie down and when you rise. Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on
your forehead, 9and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates (6:5-9).

Notice this all-day, private and public meditation, in which God’s people are to keep his
words in their hearts, in their minds on their lips, in their ears, and in their eyes, 24/7!  This is
a long way from ‘read, run, and forget’!

Meditation Today

How might we do Biblical meditation today? Here are some suggestions.

God’s words:

In your mind and heart

 Use the same passage of the Bible for your reading every day for a week. Soak yourself in it!
 Memorise a key verse from this reading, and repeat it to yourself as often as you can each
day. 
 Turn the words of the Bible reading and the Bible verse into a prayer. When we pray them,
we own, them, and when we pray them we reinforce them in our hearts and wills.
 Reduce the amount of time each day you spend listening to or watching the news. For our
daily news is sadly full of the words of the wicked, the sinners, and the scoffers. It is good to
know what is happening, but not good to be overwhelmed and infiltrated with gossip,
scandal, triviality, and spectacularised bad news.

In your eyes

 Put the Bible passage or verse as your screen saver.

 Print out a copies of it, and put them on the doors of your bedroom, bathroom, study, office,
kitchen, fridge, sink, dining table and in your car or on your bike.
 Put a copy at the front of your calendar.
 Send yourself a daily email or text message with the verse on it.

On your lips—to yourself

 Say the Bible verse aloud to yourself as often as you think of it, so it is on your lips and in
your ears as well as in your mind.
 Put the Bible verse to music, and sing it to yourself. 
 Whenever you take exercise, or travel, meditate on the Bible verse. Say it out loud.
On your lips—to others

 Tell family and friends, and anyone you meet about the Bible words which you are
meditating on, and encourage them with its message. There is a good chance that whatever
you need to meditate on will help others, and it will be a ministry to them. [Colossians 3:16]. 
In this way you will have the words on your lips and in your ears. And as you say them to
others and encourage them to receive them, you will reinforce them to yourself.

In your ears, from the lips of others

 Ask family and friends to remind you of the Bible truth you want to absorb [Colossians 3:16].
Have the words in your ears. 
 Get a whiteboard in your kitchen, write the Bible verse on it, and talk about it with your
family each meal for seven days. Do corporate Biblical meditation, just like in Deuteronomy!

And ask others to pray for you, that God would change you by these words.

Luxuriating in God’s words

So surround yourself, immerse yourself, immerse yourself, and luxuriate in God’s words.
Meditate on them every way you can.

We will find the power of God’s words as we meditate on them:

The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; 

the decrees of the LORD are sure, making wise the simple; 
the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; 
the commandment of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eyes (Psalm 19:7,8).

To meditate on God’s words, you should make them a vital and constant part of your daily
life. They should be in your mind, in your heart, in your eyes, in your ears, on our lips, and on
the lips of others.

Read these wonderful words from Thomas Cranmer’s Homily on the Holy Scriptures and see
that he bring the same message for the same reason!

These books, therefore, ought to be much in our hands, in our eyes, in our ears, in our
mouths, but most of all in our hearts. The words of Holy Scripture be called words of
everlasting life (John 6): for they be God’s instrument, ordained for the same purpose …
They have power to turn through God’s promise, and they are effectual through God’s
assistance; and being received in a faithful heart, they have a heavenly spiritual working in
them… And there is nothing that so much strengthens our faith and trust in God, that so
much preserves pureness of the heart and also of outward godly life and conversation, as
continual reading and recording of God’s word. For that thing which, by continual reading
of Holy Scripture, and diligent searching of the same, is deeply printed and graven in the
heart, at length turns almost into nature…. 
Some Suggested Places to Start

Not sure where to start? Here is a selection of verses for meditation. Make sure that you study
the verse in its context, so as to get its full meaning, impact, and power. Combine depth of
study with constancy and range of meditation!

 ‘The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: fools despise wisdom and
instruction….Get wisdom!’ (Proverbs 1:7, 4:7)
 ‘Teach us to number our days that we may gain a wise heart.’ (Psalm 90)
 ‘See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God;
and so we are’. (1 John 3:1)
 ‘Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of
all comfort’. (2 Corinthians 1:3)
 ‘Count it all joy when you meet trials of various kinds’. (James 1:2)
 ‘You must consider yourself dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus’. (Romans 6:11)
 ‘We make it our aim to please him … for we must all appear before the judgment seat of
Christ’. (2 Corinthians 5:10)
 ‘We look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that
are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal’. (2 Corinthians 4:18)
 ‘I know your works’. (Revelation 3:8)
 ‘Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in your sight, O
LORD, my rock and my redeemer’ (Psalm 19:14)
 God’s words should be our daily food, for, ‘Humans do not live by bread alone, but by every
word that comes from the mouth of God’ (Matthew 4:4).