On Memorizing Scripture
“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.”
On the Tip of Your Tongue
Maybe you’re like me. Born without a special something that you do really well – like annoyingly well. Come on, we all have those friends. The type of people that ace the test without studying, dominate in sports without practicing, or can sing like an angel without ever warming up. Don’t get me wrong, I love my wildly talented friends and by no means do I think they’re perfect. And yet there is still an awe and envy that plague my heart when I see them do what God has graced and gifted them to do. Don’t act like you don’t. I repent before you all.
Maybe you categorize Scripture memorization like that. May I say, there is a grace for you and the Lord is able to help you do what may not be easy for you to do. Let your life be lifted from the legalistic chains and shame. I thought, surely, I will never have a pocket full of verses that I can recall on command; that’s only for the higher echelon of Christians. But if I could do it, so can you, I promise.
Next time your memory verse slips your mind, this is what you do: simply refer back to the verse, by way of your physical Bible or app, and ask the Lord to help secure it in your heart. If you have been straining to be better at memorizing Bible verses and continue to fall short, I want to be the first to say, it’s okay! Do not to let the perceived lack of fruit deter you from faithfully watering the seed. A man named Dicken wrote, “how lovely the silence of growing things”. You may be growing and not even know it.
Memorize vs Meditate
Open up to Psalm 1. Look at what’s written: “But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.” It doesn’t say ‘who memorizes day and night’. Memorization isn’t the goal; meditation is. This isn’t the kind of meditation that tells you to burn some sage, rhythmically hum, and empty your mind. The Psalmist wants you to be filled up with the Word. Think the Scriptures, pray the Scriptures, say the Scriptures, share the Scriptures, write the Scriptures, cry out the Scriptures, and so on.
Too often, we want to see results. We need to ensure that the energy we have been putting in is paying off. Let me remind you, that is not the goal. Results are not the goal, glorifying God is. Want to know what does not please the Lord? Rehearsed verses from a stone heart. Want to know what does please the Lord? When our delight is in his law (or word) and when we meditate on it day and night.
This whole memorization and meditation quarrel amounts to nothing more than a false dichotomy. They can often be pressed against one another, as if one is inherently glorifying to God and the other is not. When that’s the case, might I suggest the possibility of it being a heart issue? How do you view the Bible? If you view the Word of God as lines to memorize so you look good, so God loves you more, or so you can weaponize in arguments, then your motives are off. If you don’t view the Word of God as the glorious gift that God has given to us to know and know Him, to herald with reverence and declare with boldness, and embrace with compassion, then your priorities are off. Either way, we ought to love the Word of God, in doing so, we will meditate on it which will result in memorizing it.
Maturing in Faith
The Bible does not issue a decree to memorize Scripture. I do not want to place an unnecessary burden on your backs. However, I will try to convince you that memorizing Scripture, while not the highest goal nor a biblical command, is still important to maturing in your faith. If you pick up this ancient practice, it will pay off hundredfold. Paul writes in 2 Timothy 3:16-17: “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” I think it wise to hold Scripture with reverence as it is the literal breath of God. Not only is it valuable, but Scripture is profitable; it completes and equips the Christian. Still have your bookmark in the Psalms? Follow me to another chapter.
Clocking in at 176 verses, Psalm 119 is both the longest psalm and chapter in the Bible. Nearly every single verse mentions the Word of God. Take 15 minutes and read it. The chapter begins “Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord!” There is blessing in those who abide by the Scriptures. Verse 105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” The Word of God shows us where to go while we are stumbling in the dark. It illuminates our path and enlightens us. Verse 9 says, “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.” Or consider Verse 11, “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”
As I beat the proverbial dead horse, it is not a sin to not memorize Scripture. Yet don’t you see what the Psalmist writes? He stored up the word in his heart, so that he might not sin. Purity comes by abiding according to the Word. Memorizing Scripture helps us not to sin. When Jesus was being tempted by Satan, he responds with Scripture. As the devil’s forked tongue speaks of false promises, the Son of God uses Scripture to rebuke that ancient serpent.
The Word is our sword. Wield it. Unsheathe it. You can bet the Enemy is prowling, waiting to prance. Will you be ready to fight back? You may not always have your Bible with you, but you always have your brain. Commit verses to memory so that you may not sin.
A Gentle Nudge
Can we agree that the Bible is replete with its benefits? Can we agree that the Old and New Testament speak highly of it? While not necessary to be saved, it is necessary for maturity. Like good students, we ought to know the teachings of our Rabbi Christ. If you’re willing and wanting to store up Scripture in your heart but still don’t think you can, I want to offer a gentle nudge. Perhaps the reason you haven’t been successful in it is because you haven’t given the time to it? Remember the wickedly talented people I mentioned at the beginning? There is not a single person who is good at what they do that never practice. Ask a professional, they’ll tell you they hardly go a day without at least thinking about what they do. You don’t have to be honest with me but ask yourself: Have I actually tried? Like seriously try? Have I spent time daily in the Word? It should not be a shock to you if you haven’t spent time practicing. No judgement, I have a lot to learn. So let’s learn together.
The most important component is often the first to go – consistency. We get frustrated and stop, we forget and stop. Regardless of the reason, if you want to memorize Scripture, keep practicing. I want to share one technique I will be using this year to store up God’s Word in my heart. These are all self-explanatory, however I will expand on each just a little.
Pick a verse (or passage) and follow these four steps:
Read it. Read it slowly. Read it often. Read it intentionally. Slow down and pick apart each word. Think about it. What stands out? Is there a flow when reading? Catch the wave and surf it.
Write it. Line for line, word for word. After you write it a few times, try writing it from memory. Check for mistakes and try again. Try writing flashcards or fill-in-the-blanks cards to use in the next step.
Speak it. There are countless places to practice. In the shower, on a run, in the car. If it’s a short verse, try and exaggerate each word (For example: In the beginning… In the beginning… In the beginning…)
Repeat it. As often as needed. Make sure to brush up every now and then.
While there is no perfect formula, this is a simple template to help guide you. Memorizing Scripture is critical for the mature Christian, so meditate on it day and night. I pray that God secures His Word in your heart.
Sweeter Than Honey
Have I mentioned how much I love Psalm 119? In Verse 103, we read, “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” While there is, without a doubt, significant discipline involved, you must refuse to view reading, studying, and memorizing Scripture as duty. It is so much more than that. What a delight we have in God’s Word. Seriously, go read Psalm 119. It’ll light a fire under you.