Meditation
I WILL MEDITATE ON YOUR PRECEPTS
Text: 119:73-80
27 June 2021
THE PRACTICE OF MEDITATION
That the Psalmist practised Prayer and Meditation is without doubt (Psalm 119:15, 23, 27, 48). He found this discipline helpful in a number of ways. Psalm 119:73-80 helps us understand how he found this practice meaningful.
PRAYER AND MEDITATION
The Psalmist linked Prayer and Meditation closely. The long Psalm 119 was essentially a prayer of the Psalmist. Meditation and prayer went together very closely. The following may be highlighted:
- Prayer for understanding
“Give me understanding…” Psalm 119:73b
- Prayer for merciful kindness
“Let, I pray, Your merciful kindness be for My comfort” Psalm 119:76a
- Prayer for tender mercies
“Let Your tender mercies come to me, that I may live” Psalm 119:77a
- Prayer to be blameless
“Let my heart be blameless regarding Your statutes” Psalm 119:80a
OBSERVABLE RESULTS OF PRAYER
What were some of the more observable results of prayer and meditation?
- Knowledge of Self became clearer
“Your hands have made me and fashioned me” Psalm 119:73a
a) Made me
This is a general reference to God’s work of creating the Psalmist
b) Fashioned me
This is a more specific appreciation of how the Lord made the Psalmist who he was
i) His heart
ii) His mind
iii) Other characteristic features
Prayer and meditation helped the Psalmist to understand himself far better. Thus, he prayed and sought deeper understanding.
- Knowledge of why God allowed afflictions to come
a) The judgments of God
“I know, O LORD, that Your judgments are right” Psalm 119:75a
i) The judgments of God can be painful
ii) Yet, the Psalmist trusted in God that His judgments are always right
b) The afflictions of life
“And that in faithfulness You have afflicted me” Psalm 119:75b
i) Afflictions were felt by the Psalmist
ii) The proud treated the Psalmist wrongfully Psalm 119:78
iii) But God is always faithful, and even if there are afflictions,
The Psalmist trusted in His faithfulness
OUR CHALLENGE
The Pulpit series of Messages on the subject of Biblical Meditation has come to an end. Let us be challenged to make Prayer and Meditation our personal spiritual practice. May we find a deeper faith in the Lord!