Prayer - שִׂיחַ‎ - Meditation

שִׂיחַ‎ śîaḥ and הָגָה – hagah
Meditation is prayer of the mind. The American Negro College fund used to have an advertisement – “a mind is a terrible thing to waste.” Meditation is a prayer that calls us to use on our minds, to reach out beyond where we have been and grasp the truths that God has given. God has given us a wonderful mind that is capable of understanding many concepts, reaching out into the mighty truths of God, and applying those truths to our thoughts and actions.
Meditation is prayer that begins in the mind and moves to the heart. Psalm 1 gives us a great illustration:
PS 1:1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.
PS 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates (haga) day and night.
PS 1:3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.
Here is an illustration given by God that shows us how Meditation works. When we think of trees, we think of the shade they produce, and how we enjoy sitting under them. We think of the beauty of the leaves, and how they quiver in the breeze. But the part of the tree that speaks of meditation is unseen – yet, without this part there would be no trunk, limbs or leaves. This part is the roots.
Notice the roots; they spread out from the bottom of this tree in a fine feathery web. What do these roots do? They look for water and nutrients. They spread out all through the soil, looking for any nugget of nutrition they can find. As they spread they invade everywhere. I have this clump of leaves dropped on top of the soil several years ago, and notice – it is filled with roots. Roots are the best means to prevent erosion – because they invade the soil – and hold it.
Meditation is the same thing. It is digging into the Word of God, exploring every corner, every syllable, and every word of each passage – comparing this passage to others, and connecting them in our minds, our hearts and in our actions. (Dt 6:5) Once we get the truths of God in our mind, and they spread through to our heart – and into every idea and action.
Warren Wiersbe says: “The Word of God is unlike any other book: we must be on good terms with the Author if we are to learn from what He has written. Our relationship to the Lord is determined by our relationship to His will, and that is determined by how we relate to His Word. Too many believers have only academic head knowledge of the Word, but they do not know how to put this knowledge into practice in the decisions of daily life. What we all need is a heart knowledge of the Word, and this means being taught by God.” (Ps 119:102)
PS 119:9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.
PS 119:10 I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.
PS 119:11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
PS 119:12 Praise be to you, O LORD; teach me your decrees.
PS 119:13 With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth.
PS 119:14 I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches.
PS 119:15 I meditate (siha) on your precepts and consider your ways.
PS 119:16 I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.
There are two words for Meditation:
1) Siyach - has the basic meaning of “to be occupied with,” or “concerned about.” Thus meditation focuses upon one idea. It revolves the idea around looking at it from all sides. The constant recollection of God’s past deeds by the hearing of Scripture and repetition of thought produce confidence in God (Pss. 104:34; 119:15,23,48,78,97,99,148; Ps. 63:6-8; 143:5). - Holman
2) Hagah – literally means “to utter in a low sound.” The word is used to denote the growling of a lion (Isa. 31:4) or the cooing of a dove (Isa. 38:14). Therefore it has been suggested that, in ancient Hebrew meditation, Scripture frequently was recited in a low murmur. – Holman
The Jewish people have practiced both types of meditation. The first is obvious – “I meditate on your precepts.” Jewish teachers will focus on a verse or a word, and define, and redefine its meaning. Torah, Mishnah, Gemara,
Hagah meditation involves blocking out distractions so a person can practice Siyach meditation. The Jewish people have developed various methods of doing this.
1) use of the Tallit – The word means Tal (tent) lit (Little) – it can be used to give you some space. Nu 15:37-41, we are to hold the tzitzit (fringes) to remind us of God.
2) Davining – Davining is a movement to distract other outside influences. By moving and praying it helps the focus.
3) Reading Scripture while praying.
The first time meditation is mentioned in the Bible is Genesis 24:63 – “Isaac went out to the field one evening to meditate (7742), and as he looked up, he saw camels approaching. 64 Rebekah also looked up and saw Isaac. She got down from her camel 65 and asked the servant, "Who is that man in the field coming to meet us?"
"He is my master," the servant answered. So she took her veil and covered herself.”
The first time meditation is mentioned in the New Testament is soon after Jesus was born:
LK 2:16 “So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.” So, Mary meditated on those words.
Meditation is keeping God
1) Close to your heart – Ps 77:6 - I remembered my songs in the night. My heart mused and my spirit inquired:
2) Consistently on your mind – Ps 119:27 - Let me understand the teaching of your precepts; then I will meditate on your wonders.
3) A way to achieve 1 Thessalonians 5:17 – “Pray Continually”
There are at least three false views of Meditation
1) Emptying the mind of everything. This is the path to becoming a zombie. It is a means of barricading the things of God from entering your heart. Some say that by doing this you can find yourself. Godly meditation is the opposite! It is filling your mind with God, and in so doing you can understand who He made you.
2) Focusing on the Creation. To focus on the objects of creation is like a contractor looking at the artist’s rendition rather than studying the blueprints. While it is true there are many beautiful and wonderful things in our world (such as flowing water or flickering candles), these things are only reflections of the one who created them. Our meditation should focus on the Creator.
3) The wicked individual meditates upon violence (Prov. 24: 2). The meditation of a righteous person contemplates God or His great spiritual truths (Pss. 63:6; 77:12; 119:15, 23,27,48,78,97,148; 143:5). He hopes to please God by meditation (Ps. 19:14). Thus meditation by God’s people is a reverent act of worship. Through it they commune with God and are thereby renewed spiritually.
Psalm 19 gives us some topics to meditate upon.