Psalm 63:5-7, "My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips: When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches. Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice."

David speaks of meditating upon the Lord during the night watches (vs.6) Biblical meditation goes a step beyond simple memorization. We are not encouraged to put the Bible into our heads, but into our hearts (Psalm 119:11). Noah Webster's American Dictionary of the English Language defines "meditate" as follows: "To dwell on any thing in thought; to contemplate; to study; to turn or revolve any subject in the mind." Biblical meditation is to take the truths of Scripture and dwell upon them in contemplation turning the truths of God's Word around in your mind again and again. This contemplation will weave the Word of God into our mind, our emotions, and will as the Holy Spirit speaks these meditations to our spirit.

I see three wonderful results of Biblical meditation expressed in today's passage; they are:

• A Satisfied Soul - vs. 5(a) "My soul shall be satisfied..." Are you content in your soul? Or are you dissatisfied? Meditating on Bible truth will satisfy your soul.

• Praise Filled Lips - vs. 5(b) "...my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips." What comes out of your mouth? Are you one who complains and murmurs often? Scripture commands that we "Do all things without murmurings..." (Philippians 2:14). Also, 1 Corinthians 10:10 says, "Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer." Make sure your lips are filled with praise and thanksgiving!

• A Rejoicing Heart - vs. 7 "Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice." It isn't enough to be satisfied or content, God does more than that in the life of the believer, He fills us with joy!!! Joy is the excitement God places in our heart as we realize the good things He has done and is going to do for us.

Make sure to meditate upon the Word of God. Your soul will be satisfied, your lips will be filled with praise, and your heart will rejoice in the goodness of God.

Psalm 19:14, "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer." Psalm 119:14-16, "I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word." Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

What will you turn over in your heart and mind today?

Your Friend and HIS,

Pastor Abbott

QUESTIONS TO PONDER

1. What do you spend most of your time thinking upon?

2. Write the definition of the word “meditate” according to Noah Webster’s Dictionary.

3. List three results of Biblical meditation and express how they might influence you.

4. Be sure to meditate upon the Word of God. How might you do so?