Memorizing God's Word
by Debbie Taylor Williams
"Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against Thee," Psalm 119:11
I memorized Psalm 119:11 as a child, King James Version…the only version we had at the time. The verse made sense to me as a child. I understood that just as my mother's warnings and words of encouragement rang through my mind as I made decisions, so God's words, hidden in my heart, influenced me for good. I believe Christians do themselves a great disservice by not hiding God's word in their hearts.
Following are suggestions to help you successfully memorize Scripture. Rather than looking at memorization as a daunting task, consider it a valuable investment. The more of God's word you hide in your heart, the more you will have to draw on when facing trials, temptations, or making decisions. The more you will be able to hear God speak when you're away from your Bible.
Although the Scripture encourages us to hide God's word in our hearts, the process begins with our brains. Dr. Caroline Leaf, author of Who Switched Off My Brain?, writes, "The more you think, the more you understand. The more focused and aware your thinking, the more this synergy will occur, and the stronger the memory you build." Below are a variety of ways to help you think about the Scripture and memorize it.
1. Pray and ask God to help you understand the verse and hide it in your heart.
2. Read the verses before and after the verse you're going to memorize in order to grasp the context in which the verse was written. Is it talking about trials or does it reveal a promise to which you can cling? Is it a message of hope? Or is it calling you to a higher level of Christian commitment?
3. Write or type the verse, thinking about it as you do. Bodily engaging yourself in the verse helps you remember it.
4. Meditate on the verse. Savor the richness of it. Chew on it. Think it through. 1 Corinthians 2:15 states, "But he who is spiritual appraises all things…" The Greek word for "appraise" means examine or judge, to investigate, inquire into, scrutinize, sift, question, determine the excellence of anything. As you look at the verse, sift it through your daily experience. How will that verse affect a burden you're carrying, a temptation you're facing, or a joy you're celebrating?
5. Form word pictures or visualize your verse in living color! If it's talking about your body being the temple of the Holy Spirit, (1 Corinthians 6:19) look at your body. As you look at it, think of it as a temple. It has an outer frame, your flesh. It has an inner part, your spirit. Christ dwells there. Are you meeting with Him?
6. Consider the difference the verse makes to you. For instance, when I read Jesus' words in John 14:27, "Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful," He tells me several things. First, He's giving me a command to not let my heart be troubled. I need to question if I'm being obedient. In addition, if I'm troubled about something, I need to take note. I need to ask myself, "What am I troubled about?" I need to ask myself if I've taken that trouble to God and prayed about it. I need to do the same thing in relation to being fearful. I need to ask myself, "Why am I fearful? Do I not trust God to take me through this?"
7. Look for repetition of words or for contrasts or similarities. Diagram or sketch the verse to help seal it in your mind and heart. For instance, using Colossians 1:17,
He is BEFORE all things
And IN Him all things
8. Pray the verse. For instance 1 Corinthians 4:20, "For the kingdom of God does not consist in word but in power." Father, You are a God of power! Forgive me for talking about your power, but not living by it. Please reign in my life today. Reign powerfully over my mind, emotions, and will. Help me walk by Your power, not just talk about it.
9. Write your verse on an index card or paper. Place it in a prominent place so you can see it throughout the day. Take it with you in the car or in your purse. Read over it several times a day and before you go to bed. If you are on the computer during the day, type it several times. When you do, ponder the words you type.
10. Put your verse to music. Make up a tune or sing your verse to a familiar tune.
Record your favorite verses. Use the prior tips to help you hide them in your heart. Begin now.
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Memorizing God's Word copyright Debbie Taylor Williams, 2007