It’s important to read the Bible simply to grasp its sweeping ‘big Story.’ It’s also great to become familiar with the many rich, memorable stories within it, like David and Goliath, or Jonah and the whale, to name just two.
But it’s just as important not to always rush through it. There are particular parts of Scripture, especially, where we sense it inviting us to slow down, to ponder, and to listen for God’s voice. It’s understandable if you skim or read quickly through some genealogies or the laws in Leviticus (though pause and ponder if you feel the Holy Spirit tell you). However, there are particular passages like Psalm 23 or Ephesians 1 that lend themselves to slow, reflective reading.
This is where biblical meditation becomes essential. Meditation, in the Christian sense, is not about emptying the mind, as some assume. It is about filling the mind with God’s truth. It is allowing Scripture to sink deeply into our hearts, shaping our thoughts, desires, and imagination. It means pausing, paying close attention, and giving space for God’s Word to take root within us.
Meditation helps us move from simply reading the Bible to truly receiving it – hearing God speak to us personally through the text.
Why Meditation Matters
The apostle Paul wrote:
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” (Colossians 3:16)
Meditation helps get God’s Word inside us. It is one of the main ways God’s truth moves from the page and shapes our thinking, values, attitudes, and even our daily choices.
There are several benefits:
1. It makes us fruitful in life
One of the most famous passages about meditation tells us what happens to those who meditate on the Bible regularly and consistently:
…they delight in the law of the Lord,
meditating on it day and night.
They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,… (Psalm 1:2-3)
Even in the difficult and barren times, those who meditate can be spiritually fruitful.
2. It shapes our thinking and changes us
Paul writes to the Christians in Rome:
Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. (Romans 12:2)
One of the main ways we are gradually transformed to become more like Christ (and this is meant to be the main concern of Christians) is through the renewing of the mind. Meditation on the Bible is a key way to do this.
3. It guides us through life
The Psalmist wrote:
Your word is a lamp to guide my feet
and a light for my path. (Psalm 119:105)
As we meditate on the Bible, we may receive specific direction but it also shapes our thinking about life so that we know the right thing to do in certain moments and situations.
4. It strengthens us in the hard times
As we have already seen, Psalms (and especially Psalm 119) is a great source for insights about meditating on God’s Word. It tells us that God’s word is what strengthen us when we go through difficult times:
My soul is weary with sorrow;
strengthen me according to your word. (Psalm 119:28)
5. it helps us resist temptation
Again, Psalms helps us here:
I have hidden your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you. (Psalm 119:11)
When God’s Word lives in our hearts, it helps guide our choices and protect us from drifting away from God. Joshua was encouraged to be strong and courageous in battle and he did through meditating on God’s word (Joshua 1:8-9)
6. It helps us to hear become familiar with God’s voice
When we reflect slowly on Scripture, we often notice things we might have missed when reading quickly. The Holy Spirit uses these moments to bring insight, encouragement, or correction.
As we pause and listen, God’s Word becomes more personal and alive to us. We then get used to hearing God speak to us and are more likely to recognise his voice again in different situations.
How Do We Meditate on the bible?
Meditation does not require a complicated method. It simply involves slowing down and paying attention.
Here are a few simple steps that can help.
1. Choose a Short Passage
Pick a few verses or even a single verse from your Bible reading. Short passages are easier to reflect on deeply (see below for some examples).
2. Read It Slowly
Read the verse several times. You might read it quietly, or even out loud. Notice words or phrases that stand out to you.
3. Think About What It Means
Ask yourself questions like:
• What does this tell me about God?
• What does this say about the way I should live?
• Is there something God is inviting me to trust or obey?
4. Talk to God About It
Turn your thoughts into prayer. Thank God for what you are learning and ask him to help you live it out.
5. Carry It With You
Sometimes a verse you meditate on in the morning will stay with you throughout the day. Let it guide your thinking, your prayers, and your decisions.
Over time, these small moments of reflection allow God’s Word to quietly shape your life.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- When you read the Bible, do you tend to rush through it or slow down to reflect? Have you felt the benefit when you have slowed down?
- What difference might biblical meditation make in your engagement with the Bible?
- Is there a verse that has stayed with you and helped guide you in your life recently?
Putting It Into Practice – a simple way to begin
Try this today:
- Pick one verse (Psalm 46:10 is a good start: “Be still, and know that I am God.”)
- Read it slowly, out loud if you can.
- Pause and reflect on what it means.
- Pray a simple prayer in response.
- Repeat the verse to yourself during the day.
More from the Bible
You might find it helpful to slowly read and reflect on these scriptures:
- Psalm 1:1–3 — the person who meditates on God’s Word
- Psalm 119:9–16 — treasuring God’s Word in the heart
- Joshua 1:8 — meditating on Scripture day and night
- Luke 24:13–35 — hearts burning as Jesus explains the Scriptures
- Colossians 3:16 — letting the word of Christ dwell richly within us
Try reading one passage a day and asking: What is God showing me through this passage today?
Remember This:
“The Word of Scripture should never stop sounding in your ears and working in you all day long… Just as you do not analyse the words of someone you love, but accept them as they are said to you, accept the Word of Scripture and ponder it in your heart.” (Dietrich Bonhoeffer)
Recommended Resources:
Campbell McAlpine, The Practice of Biblical Meditation, an old but still very helpful book on explaining what it is and how to do it.
Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline – this classic book has a good chapter on biblical meditation
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