Meditation: Speaking from the Belly (Psalm 63:6; 19:14; 8:19; Romans 8:26)

REMEMBER

The English word "meditate", is from the Latin word (meditari), meaning 'to turn back thoughts, to remember'. This thought of "remembrance" is certainly contained in the Hebrew word (hagah), that is translated into the English as "meditate".

PSALM 63:6 "When I remember thee upon my bed, (and) meditate on thee in the (night) watches" (KJV)

PSALM 63:6 "Yes, I recalled You on my couch. In the night watches I dwelt upon You" (Robert Alter)

REPETITIVE MURMURING

The thought is actually that of 'bringing up from within', and the imagery could be described as 'the drawing up of water from a well', with the idea of 'something coming from the depths, to the surface'. The aspect of "bringing to the surface", involves the repetitive murmuring, or revolving over in the mind, and audibly with the tongue, the thoughts contained from the depths. It is as if, the ideas and swirling expressions, require cultivation; focused attention; to formulate and become recognizable; discernible substance. Words are what is spoken, but meditation is much more. It is deep reflective thought and consideration, that draws from the depths of the heart, what has been the analytical focus of inward attention.

MUTTERING

The scripture says, "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Your sight" (Psalm 19:14). This scripture would seem to divide words, as what is spoken, from meditation. However, it is not that meditation, or deep reflection upon God's word, is not spoken, but it may seem to be inarticulate to the hearer, for it is described as muttering; mumbling, in words and sounds that others close by may not be able to distinguish, but the words, or sounds, are perceptible to the speaker.

SPEAKING INWARDLY

The Hebrew word (hagah) is defined as 'a deep dull sound, as if vibrating from within and without'. It actually signifies 'speaking inwardly'; from the belly. It does not mean that one does not speak through the mouth, but the sense is more that the sound, or expression comes from within, much like the Latin word (ventriloqui), from which we get the English word ventriloquist.

SPEAK from the BELLY

Isaiah 8:19 speaks of those that seek the counsel of mediums and wizards, "...that peep, and that mutter (hagah)..."(KJV), or that "...gibber in low murmurs..." (Moffat). The LXX translation of this verse rightly says, "...those who speak from their belly..". The principle is that what is spoken comes up from within; from the belly, or innermost being.

INDISTINGUISHABLE

 (Hagah) is even translated to mean 'indistinguishable sound', or at least 'articulation, that may only be discerned by the speaker, but not necessarily recognizable to others hearing', and even described as 'the sound of animals'.

"...as the lion or the young lion roaring (hagah) on his prey..." (Isaiah 31:4)

"...like a crane or swallow, so did I chatter; I did mourn (hagah) like a dove..." (Isaiah 38:14)

"...we roar like bears, and mourn (hagah) like doves..." (Isaiah 59:11)

INWARD EXPRESSION

This inward expression of "meditation", is identified as 'that which stirs at the deepest levels of our person', and so is translated, as the mourning of doves; the roaring of lions; or in parallelism, the roaring of bears. It is that which is deep-seated, that finds expression in almost groans, or inarticulate sound that rises up from within.

COMMUNICATION

Romans 8:26, speaks of one aspect of (hagah) when the scripture speaks of the Holy Spirit taking hold with us together against whatever is adversarial to us, and in our inability to find expression in prayer, the Holy Spirit within us, finds expression through us, with "inarticulate groans" (NEB), or as the word is used in ancient secular Greek literature, [of the sound or language of babies or animals], 'communication, which those hearing, lack the understanding, or discernment, of what is expressed'.

OTHER LANGUAGES

This is praying in other tongues, or other languages, as the Holy Spirit gives utterance (Acts 2:4), which may be recognizable to some, but to others, unfamiliar with the vocal expression, it may simply sound like gibberish.

MEDITATION

One of the scriptures that best describes meditation, is Psalm 39:3: "My heart was hot within me, while I was musing/meditating, the fire burned: then I spoke with my mouth". The imagery is that of focused inward attention, which inward thoughts and emotions, like two sticks, repeatedly keep rubbing together, until they kindle a fire, which consumes into a blaze bursting forth from the mouth.

OVER & OVER

Though the context of this scripture may be a negative outburst, the actual process is very descriptive in defining meditation. Revolving over and over in the mind, the words and principles of the scriptures; what God has said, culminates in the expression of speaking those words out of the mouth. 'Historical rabbinic teaching was that the constant study and meditation of God's word resulted in being so full of His will, that it produced a changed behavior, resulting in obedience to His commands'.

You are God's Best and God's Best is Yours