Quotes on Meditation – Lessons from Tanach

The following occasional translations such as ” giving thought to “, “pondering on“, “keeping my mind on“, “giving my mind to…”, “my mind is on …”, “commune with your own heart” and similar, have been rendered here as ” meditate ” for all those words are the very essence to describe the meaning of the word “meditate” :

And when the evening was near, he ( Jacob ) went to meditate into the fields, and lifting up his eyes he saw camels coming. (Genesis 24:63)

Happy is the man who does not go in the company of sinners, or take his place in the way of evil-doers, or in the seat of those who do not give honor to the Lord. But whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and meditates (whose mind is) on his law day and night. (Psalms 1:1-2)

Be in awe, and sin not: Meditate (commune with your own heart) upon your bed, and be still. Selah (Psalms 4:4)

Let this book of the law be ever on your lips and (in your thoughts) to meditate day and night, so that you may keep with care everything in it; then a blessing will be on all your way, and you will do well. (Joshua 1:8)

Let the words of my mouth and my meditations (the thoughts of my heart) be pleasing in your eyes, O Lord, my strength and my salvation. (Psalms 19:14)

One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to contemplate the beauty of the LORD (another brush stroke to describe the correct meditative practice), and to inquire in his temple. (Psalms 27:4)

הַרְפּוּ וּדְעוּ, כִּי-אָנֹכִי אֱלֹהִים

Be still and know – I AM GOD. (Psalms 46:10 or 46:11 ,  a complete key to understanding of the meditative process and it’s result)

From my mouth will come words of wisdom; and from my meditation (in the thoughts of my heart) will come knowledge. (Psalms 49:3)

When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches. (Psalms 63:6)

Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart (another term for meditative state). (Psalms 119:2)

Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works. (Psalms 119:27)

I meditated on your name in the night, O Lord, and have kept your law. This has been true of me, that I have kept your orders in my heart. The Lord is my heritage: I have said that I would be ruled by your words. I meditated in my mind to do your pleasure with all my heart; have mercy on me, as you have said. I gave thought to my steps, and my feet were turned into the way of your unchanging word. (Psalms 119:55-59)

In the middle of the night I will get up to give you praise, because of all your right decisions. (Psalms 119:62)

Let your hand be near for my help; for I meditated on (have given my heart to) your ways. ( Psalms 119:173)

I remember the days of old, I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands. (Psalms 143:5)

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