Meditate

Meditate - (Webster's 1828 Dictionary)

MED'ITATE, v.i. [L. meditor.]

1. To dwell on any thing in thought; to contemplate; to study; to turn or revolve any subject in the mind; appropriately but not exclusively used of pious contemplation, or a consideration of the great truths of religion.

His delight is in the law of the Lord, and in his law doth he meditate day and night. Psa 1.

2. To intend; to have in contemplation.

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

MED'ITATE, v.t. To plan by revolving in the mind; to contrive; to intend.

Some affirmed that I meditated a war.

1. To think on; to revolve in the mind.

Blessed is the man that doth meditate good things.

Meditation - (Webster's 1828 Dictionary)

MEDITA'TION, n. [L.meditatio.] Close or continued thought; the turning or revolving of a subject in the mind; serious contemplation.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer. Psa 19.

med-i-ta'-shun (haghuth, sichah): "Meditation" is the translation of haghuth, from haghah, "to murmur," "to have a deep tone," hence, "to meditate" (Ps 49:3); of haghigh, "sighing," "moaning" (Ps 5:1; see Ps 5:2); of higgayon, "the murmur" or dull sound of the harp, hence, meditation (Ps 19:14, "Let .... the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight"); of siach, "speech," "meditation" (Ps 104:34, "Let my meditation be sweet unto him"); of sichah, a "bowing down," "musing" (Ps 119:97,99; /RAPC 2Es 10:5). "To meditate" is the translation of haghah (Jos 1:8; Ps 1:2; 63:6; Isa 33:18 the King James Version); of suach (Ge 24:63); of siach (Ps 119:15,23, etc.; Ps 143:5, the King James Version "muse"; 1Ch 16:9; Ps 105:2 margin). In Apocrypha we have "to meditate" (Ecclesiasticus 14:20, "Blessed is the man that shall mediate in wisdom," the Revised Version margin "most authorities read come to an end" (teleutesei); Ecclesiasticus 39:1, "meditateth in the law of the Most High" (dianoeomai)). The lack of meditation is a great want in our modern religious life. In the New Testament, we have "to meditate" (promeletao, "to take care beforehand"), Lu 21:14, and "meditate" (meletao, "to take care"), 1Ti 4:15 the King James Version (the Revised Version (British and American) "be diligent"); compare Php 4:8; Col 3:2.

W. L. Walker

Definition

“The term meditate” means to spend time thinking about something carefully and deeply.

• This term is often used in the Bible to refer to thinking about God and his teachings.
• Psalm 1 says that the person who meditates on the law of the Lord “day and night” will be greatly blessed.

Translation Suggestions

• To “meditate on” could be translated as to “think about carefully and deeply” or to “consider thoughtfully” or to “think about often.”
• The noun form is “meditation” and could be translated as “deep thoughts.” A phrase like “meditation of my heart” could be translated as “what I think deeply about” or “what I often think about.”

Bible References

• Genesis 24:63
• Joshua 1:8-9
• Psalm 1:1-2
• Psalms 119:15

Word Data

• Strong’s: H1897, H1900, H1902, H7742, H7878, H7879, H7881