What Is Biblical Meditation — In Biblical Context
Biblical meditation is the practice of deeply pondering and reflecting on God's Word day and night, filling the mind with Scripture rather than emptying it.
Biblical meditation is the practice of deeply pondering and reflecting on God's Word day and night, filling the mind with Scripture rather than emptying it.
"This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success." — Joshua 1:8 (KJV)
The Biblical Context
Unlike Eastern meditation which seeks to empty the mind, biblical meditation fills the mind with God's truth. Joshua 1:8 commands, 'This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night.' Psalm 1:2 describes the blessed man as one whose 'delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.' The Hebrew word for meditate (hagah) means to mutter, ponder, muse over — it implies chewing on God's Word like an animal chews its cud, extracting every bit of nourishment. David meditated on God's works, His precepts, and His faithfulness (Psalm 77:12, 119:15, 143:5). This practice transforms the mind (Romans 12:2), strengthens faith, and produces spiritual fruitfulness. Biblical meditation is intentional, focused reflection on who God is and what He has said — and it yields peace, wisdom, and prosperity of soul.
Where It Sits in Scripture
The core passage for this question, Joshua 1:8, sits inside Joshua 1. To grasp the full meaning, read the surrounding paragraph — the verses before set up the thought, the verses after carry it forward.
"This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success."
Supporting Passages
"But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night."
"I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways."
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