Meditation

Charles Buck Theological Dictionary

Is an act by which we consider any thing closely, or wherein the soul is employed in the search or consideration of any truth. In religion it is used to signify the serious exercise of the understanding, whereby our thoughts are fixed on the observation of spiritual things, in order to practice. Mystic divines make a great difference between dedication and contemplation; the former consists in discursive acts of the soul, considering methodically and with attention the mysteries of faith and the precepts of morality; and is performed by reflections and reasonings which leave behind them manifest impressions on the brain. The pure contemplative, they say, have no need of meditation, as seeing all things in God at a glance, and without any reflection.

See Beguins and Quietists

1. Meditation is a duty which ought to be attended to by all who wish well to their spiritual interests. It ought to be deliberate, close, and perpetual,  Psalms 119:97 .  Psalms 1:2 .

2. The subjects which ought more especially to engage the Christian mind are the works of creation,  Psalms 19:1-14 : the perfections of God.   Deuteronomy 32:4; the excellencies, offices, characters, and works of Christ,  Hebrews 12:2-3; the offices and operations of the Holy Spirit,  John 15:16 : the various dispensations of Providence,   Psalms 97:1-2; the precepts, declarations, promises, &c. of God's word, Psa cxix; the value, powers, and immortality of the soul,  Mark 8:36; the noble, beautiful, and benevolent plan of the Gospel,  1 Timothy 1:11; the necessity of our personal interest in and experience of its power,  John 3:3; the depravity of our nature, and the freedom of divine grace in choosing, adopting, justifying, and sanctifying us,  1 Corinthians 6:11; the shortness, worth, and swiftness of time,  James 4:14; the certainty of death,  Hebrews 9:27; the resurrection and judgment to come,  1 Corinthians 15:50 , &c. and the future state of eternal rewards and punishments,  Matthew 25:1-46 : These are some of the most important subjects on which we should meditate.

3. To perform this duty aright, we should be much in prayer,  Luke 18:1; avoid a worldly spirit,  1 John 2:15; beware of sloth,  Hebrews 6:11; take heed of sensual pleasures,  James 4:4; watch against the devices of Satan,  1 Peter 5:8; be often in retirement,  Psalms 4:4; embrace the most favourable opportunities, the calmness of the morning,  Psalms 5:1;  Psalms 5:3; the solemnity of the evening,  Genesis 24:63; Sabbathdays,  Psalms 118:24; sacramental occasions, &c.  1 Corinthians 11:28 .

4. The advantages resulting from this are, improvement of the faculties of the soul,  Proverbs 16:22; the affections are raised to God,  Psalms 39:1;  Psalms 39:4; an enjoyment of divine peace and felicity,  Philippians 4:6-7; holiness of life is promoted,  Psalms 119:59-60; and we thereby experience a foretaste of eternal glory,  Psalms 73:25-26 .  2 Corinthians 5:1 &c.

Holman Bible Dictionary

 Proverbs 24:1 2 Psalm 63:6 Psalm 77:12 Psalm 119:15 Psalm 119:23 119:27 119:48 119:78,97,148 Psalm 143:5 Psalm 19:14

Most references to meditation occur in the Old Testament, especially in the Psalms. The Hebrew words for meditation primarily were derived from two separate roots. The first ( hagah ) literally means “to utter in a low sound.” The word is used to denote the growling of a lion ( Isaiah 31:4 ) or the cooing of a dove ( Isaiah 38:14 ). Therefore it has been suggested that, in ancient Hebrew meditation, Scripture frequently was recited in a low murmur. The second root word ( siach ) has the basic meaning of “to be occupied with,” or “concerned about.” Thus meditation is the repetitious going over of a matter in one's mind because it is the chief concern of life. The constant recollection of God's past deeds by the hearing of Scripture and repetition of thought produce confidence in God ( Psalm 104:34;  Psalm 119:15 ,Psalms 119:15, 119:23 ,Psalms 119:23, 119:48 ,Psalms 119:48, 119:78 ,Psalms 119:78, 119:97,99,148;  Psalm 63:6-8;  Psalm 143:5 ).

Meditation is only mentioned twice in the New Testament. Jesus instructed Christians to meditate beforehand on their attitude toward persecution ( Luke 21:14 ). Paul advised Timothy to meditate on the matters about which Paul had written Him ( 1 Timothy 4:15 ). Meditation is an important part of the Christian's relationship with Christ. See Prayer .

LeBron Matthews

Webster's Dictionary

(1): ( n.) Thought; - without regard to kind.

(2): ( n.) The act of meditating; close or continued thought; the turning or revolving of a subject in the mind; serious contemplation; reflection; musing.

King James Dictionary

MEDITA'TION, n. L.meditatio. Close or continued thought the turning or revolving of a subject in the mind serious contemplation.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.  Psalms 19

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

med - i - tā´shun ( הגוּת , hāghūth , שׂיחה , sīḥāh ): "Meditation" is the translation of hāghūth , from hāghāh , "to murmur," "to have a deep tone," hence, "to meditate" (  Psalm 49:3 ); of hāghı̄gh , "sighing," "moaning" ( Psalm 5:1; see  Psalm 5:2 ); of higgāyōn , "the murmur" or dull sound of the harp, hence, meditation ( Psalm 19:14 , "Let ... the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight"); of sı̄aḥ , "speech," "meditation" ( Psalm 104:34 , "Let my meditation be sweet unto him"); of sı̄ḥāh , a "bowing down," "musing" ( Psalm 119:97 ,  Psalm 119:99; 2 Esdras 10:5). "To meditate" is the translation of hāghāh ( Joshua 1:8;  Psalm 1:2;  Psalm 63:6;  Isaiah 33:18 the King James Version); of sūaḥ ( Genesis 24:63 ); of sı̄aḥ ( Psalm 119:15 ,  Psalm 119:23 , etc.;  Psalm 143:5 , the King James Version "muse";  1 Chronicles 16:9;  Psalm 105:2 margin). In Apocrypha we have "to meditate" (Ecclesiasticus 14:20, "Blessed is the man that shall mediate in wisdom," the Revised Version margin "most authorities read come to an end" ( teleutḗsei ); Ecclesiasticus 39:1, "meditateth in the law of the Most High" ( dianoéomai )). The lack of meditation is a great want in our modern religious life. In the New Testament, we have "to meditate" (προμελετάω , promeletáō , "to take care beforehand"),  Luke 21:14 , and "meditate" (μελετάω , meletáō , "to take care"),  1 Timothy 4:15 the King James Version (the Revised Version (British and American) "be diligent"); compare   Philippians 4:8;  Colossians 3:2 .