What Does the Bible Say About Meditation?
Here are 30 Bible verses about meditation, ordered by how relevant readers found them, with the King James Version and the modern Berean Standard Bible side by side.
- #1Psalms 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.
BSBMay the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
- #2Psalms 119:15
I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.
BSBI will meditate on Your precepts and regard Your ways.
- #3Joshua 1:8
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.
BSBThis Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in all you do.
- #4Psalms 104:34
My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the Lord.
BSBMay my meditation be pleasing to Him, for I rejoice in the LORD.
- #5Philippians 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.
BSBFinally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things.
- #61 Corinthians 6:19-20
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
BSBDo you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body.
- #7Philippians 4:6-7
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
BSBBe anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
- #8Psalms 119:97
מ MEM. O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.
BSBOh, how I love Your law! All day long it is my meditation.
- #9Psalms 63:6
When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.
BSBWhen I remember You on my bed, I think of You through the watches of the night.
- #10Psalms 49:3
My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.
BSBMy mouth will impart wisdom, and the meditation of my heart will bring understanding.
- #11Psalms 143:5
I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.
BSBI remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your works; I consider the work of Your hands.
- #12Psalms 1:2
But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
BSBBut his delight is in the Law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night.
- #13Isaiah 26:3
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
BSBYou will keep in perfect peace the steadfast of mind, because he trusts in You.
- #14Psalms 119:148
Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.
BSBMy eyes anticipate the watches of night, that I may meditate on Your word.
- #15Psalms 77:12
I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.
BSBI will reflect on all You have done and ponder Your mighty deeds.
- #16Proverbs 4:20-22
My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
BSBMy son, pay attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not lose sight of them; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and health to the whole body.
- #17Matthew 6:6
But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
BSBBut when you pray, go into your inner room, shut your door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
- #18Psalms 119:11
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
BSBI have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.
- #19Psalms 119:78
Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts.
BSBMay the arrogant be put to shame for subverting me with a lie; I will meditate on Your precepts.
- #20Psalms 119:97-99
מ MEM. O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day. Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.
BSBOh, how I love Your law! All day long it is my meditation. Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for they are always with me. I have more insight than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation.
- #211 Timothy 5:23
Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.
BSBStop drinking only water and use a little wine instead, because of your stomach and your frequent ailments.
- #22Proverbs 20:1
Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.
BSBWine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by them is not wise.
- #23Galatians 5:19-21
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
BSBThe acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
- #24Ephesians 5:18
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
BSBDo not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.
- #25James 5:14
Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
BSBIs any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.
- #261 Peter 5:8
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
BSBBe sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
- #27Proverbs 17:22
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
BSBA joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.
- #28Colossians 4:14
Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.
BSBLuke, the beloved physician, and Demas send you greetings.
- #291 Corinthians 10:13
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
BSBNo temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide an escape, so that you can stand up under it.
- #30Romans 12:1
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
BSBTherefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
Verse rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY). Scripture: KJV & BSB (public domain).