MEDITATION (הָגוּת, H2050, הִגָּיﯴן, H2053, שִׂיחָה, H8491; προμελετᾶν). Meditation, in both noun and verb forms, appears in the RSV only in the Psalms, with the exception of four references. However, the Gr. meletao may be correctly tr. “meditate” (Mark 13:11; 1 Tim 4:15). Related meanings of the above Heb. words are: “murmur,” “muse,” “mutter,” “sigh,” “whisper,” “moan,” “dull sound” (of harp), and a “bowing down.” Meditation seems to have been more a Heb. than Christian practice. It is a most rewarding act of worship, of spiritual renewal, of mental refreshing, and of divine communion (see Job 15:4; Ps 77:3, 6). The first reference concerns Isaac who “went out to meditate in the field” and saw Rebekah coming (Gen 24:63). The most familiar is, “Let...the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight” (Ps 19:14). Another familiar passage is Joshua’s command, “This book of the law...you shall meditate on it day and night” (Josh 1:8; cf. Ps 119:97, 99). The godly also meditated on God’s creation, “on all thy work” (Pss 77:12; 119:27; 145:5). The single NT reference is Jesus’ instruction “not to meditate beforehand how to answer” (Luke 21:14).