9 How can a young person stay on the path of purity?
Psalm 119:9-16 (NIV)
By living according to your word.
10 I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
11 I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
12 Praise be to you, Lord;
teach me your decrees.
13 With my lips I recount
all the laws that come from your mouth.
14 I rejoice in following your statutes
as one rejoices in great riches.
15 I meditate on your precepts
and consider your ways.
16 I delight in your decrees;
I will not neglect your word.
On the path to Memorizing Scripture
One of my goals for this year has been memorizing one scripture (or a passage of scripture) per month. I’ve always been the kind of person to enjoy committing words to memory. There’s a strong satisfaction that comes from being able to pull out a beloved poem or cherished quote that fits the moment.
Yet somehow, I find that I’ve memorized very few Bible verses. While I can tell you the gist of many passages, there are few scriptures I know word for word, complete all the way through. Which is a shame.
There is no book or poem more important, more life-giving than the Word of God. As Christian writers, we need to be steeped in Scripture so that our words can be shaped by the truth of our Heavenly Father. While it’s possible to study the Bible and learn from it without memorizing it, committing the Word to memory has certain advantages. Here are just a few.
3 Reasons for Memorizing Scripture:
- First, memorizing Scripture helps us to seek God’s will and walk in His paths. As we take the time to know the Word by heart, we draw closer to the Lord. We learn to delight in His commands; we find a foundation to lean on when we’re struggling. We commit ourselves to keeping God’s commands close to us, reminding us to put those words into practice.
- Second, memorizing Scripture gives us time to reflect and meditate on the Bible. As we repeat the words to ourselves over and again, we mull over them. We let the words seep into us. The verses become a place for our thoughts to dwell, setting our minds on Christ.
- Finally, memorizing Scripture is a source of comfort and joy. The words of the Lord are beautiful and refreshing to the spirit. Hiding His words in our hearts gives us a well of truth to pull from when we are feeling downcast. We have words of rejoicing in the psalms to speak when we’re joyful. We have promises of hope to focus on when we’re hurting. The truth of Scripture gives us wisdom we can share with others when our words fail. In knowing the Lord’s word, we give ourselves tangible reminders to lean on His strength instead of relying on our own.
As I’ve been trying to focus more energy and time on committing Bible verses to memory, I’ve found a few methods that have helped me.
3 Tips for Memorizing Scripture
1. Placing Scripture where you’ll see it.
I’ve found it helpful to write out the verses I’m trying to memorize and to put them in places where I know I’ll see them. At first, I wrote in the front of my journal so I could look at it whenever I go to write. Right now, I have several verses taped to the inside of my locker at work so that each time I go to get water or grab my bag, I’ll be reminded of the words I want to remember. I’ve heard of people writing verses on their bathroom mirrors or hanging them by the front door. Having the verse in any spot you go to frequently can be a great tool to keep the verse in the forefront of your mind.
2. Trying an app.
As someone trying to spend less time on social media, I have a bad habit of reaching for my phone more often than necessary. So, I decided to try out an app for memorizing Scripture. The one I downloaded is called “Remember Me”. It’s a great tool that lets you search and download verses in different translations, and automatically formats them into different exercises for memorizing–from fill-in-the-blank quizzes to puzzle-style memorizing tools. I find it has helped me take a bad habit–reaching for my phone–and turn it to a productive use–reviewing Bible verses rather than opening Facebook.
3. Bookmarking Bible verses.
Along the same vein of putting the verse where you can see it, I’ve started keeping a bright colored bookmark in the passage I’m currently memorizing in my Bible. Every time I open my Bible for quiet time, the bookmark reminds me to either start or end by reviewing my memory verse.
Final Thoughts:
Of course, there are many other ways to memorize Scripture. Making flash cards. Inviting a friend to learn verses with you. Keeping verses written out in your pocket. What matters most is finding a method that works for you.
We have so many words and numbers we have to keep in our heads–a million passwords, appointments, grocery lists–that it can be hard to prioritize learning Bible verses, too. But hiding the Word of God in our hearts is a blessing. That we can know the words of our Heavenly Father and carry them with us is a gift.
As we spend time studying and growing in the Scripture, may we delight in the Father’s decrees, not neglecting His word, but rejoicing always in Him.
Karley Conklin
Karley Conklin is a librarian by day, a writer by night, and a bookworm 24/7. Her goal is to use the power of stories to remind others of hope and joy in a world that all too often forgets both.
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It is so important to take time to memorize Scripture, and you have given some good reasons to do it and some ways to help us with memorizing. thanks, Karley.