Meditation

Caedmon · #1 29th December 2001, 12:16 PM

Hi guys, I've been wondering about exactly what Psalm 119 is talking about concerning meditation. Is it meditation in the eastern sense of the word? Can it be like eastern meditation? If it can't, then I really don't understand the difference between meditation and study. Can anyone make sense of this for me? Thanks....
Peace

SOS · #2 29th December 2001, 04:30 PM

The verses that you are referring to:

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">
Psa 119:15 I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.

Psa 119:23 Princes also did sit [and] speak against me: [but] thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.

Psa 119:48 My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.

Psa 119:78 Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: [but] I will meditate in thy precepts.

Psa 119:148 Mine eyes prevent the [night] watches, that I might meditate in thy word.
</font>

From the Webster's Dictionary:

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">
meditate \Med"i*tate\, v. t. 1. To contemplate; to keep the mind fixed upon; to study. ``Blessed is the man that doth meditate good things.'' --Ecclus. xiv. 20.

2. To purpose; to intend; to design; to plan by revolving in the mind; as, to meditate a war.

I meditate to pass the remainder of life in a state of undisturbed repose. --Washington.

Syn: To consider; ponder; weigh; revolve; study.

Usage: To Meditate, Contemplate, Intend. We meditate a design when we are looking out or waiting for the means of its accomplishment; we contemplate it when the means are at hand, and our decision is nearly or quite made. To intend is stronger, implying that we have decided to act when an opportunity may offer. A general meditates an attack upon the enemy; he contemplates or intends undertaking it at the earliest convenient season.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
</font>

Eastern or Buddhist meditation specifically tries to empty a person's mind so that something or someone else can fill it. This is in contrast to meditating on God's Word, which is more about thinking, studying, concetrating and dissecting Scripture in a constructive manner.

john316 · #3 29th December 2001, 05:55 PM

I agree with S.O.S. - meditation on God's word basically means dwelling on His truths by reading and memorising bible verses. It's not like transcendental meditation that aims for it's user to reach enlightenment.

fran · #4 29th December 2001, 08:26 PM

Meditate on God's Word = Study and Memorise God's Word. That's how I interpret it.

FFX · #5 30th December 2001, 02:57 AM

Yup, I agree with SOS... In our daily quiet time we should allow some time to focus on God's word and to not be distracted (meditation)... so spend some quality time with God... I'm sure it'll be worth it...