Wisdom Psalms to Consider Committing to Memory

Memorize God's word!! Have you ever been told to do so? Why should you? David said that a man is blessed who delights in the Law of the Lord and meditates on it day and night! (Ps 1) Memorizing scripture, even one line a day, provides the substance upon which to meditate.

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In Psalm 119, the Psalmist proclaims to the Lord that he is storing God's word in his heart to avoid sin when tempted.

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Memorizing wisdom Psalms fills your heart with God's truth providing assurance, comfort, power, and yes, wisdom!

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What is Wisdom?

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Noah Webster says, in his 1828 dictionary, that wisdom is "the right use or exercise of knowledge; the choice of laudable ends, and of the best means to accomplish them. This is wisdom in act, effect, or practice".

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In more simple words, wisdom means. you have the knowledge and the ability to use it rightly towards a good outcome. Psalm 1 says that the person who meditates day and night on the wisdom of God's word, you are as a "tree firmly planted by the rivers of water," bringing forth fruit for God's glory.

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What is a Wisdom Psalm?

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These psalms reflect on wisdom and God's law, and contrast the righteous and the wicked.

Often we see synonymous parallelism in the contrasts....stated one way and then restated in different words. An example of this can be seen in Psalm 15.

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The question is asked, "Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle?" In verse 2, you see the positive; "he that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh truth in his heart." In verse 3, you see the negative...." he that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbor, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbor." Contrasting what a Godly person DOES do and does NOT do.

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What Are the Benefits of Memorizing the Hebrew Bible?

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Memorizing the Bible is incredibly beneficial for personal and spiritual growth. Committing God's word to memory allows you to internalize His teachings and understand them better.

The benefits of memorization are more than just spiritual growth; as important as that is! Memorization engages active discipline and perseverance, practicing and developing these qualities. Growing in these areas will benefit every area of your life.

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In the book of Colossians, chapter 3, verse 16, God, through Paul, says, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."

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The word of Christ is the tool that teaches and admonishes His people and equips them to teach and admonish one another, in all wisdom.

Increases Your Knowledge of Our Lord God

The holy Scriptures are the literal words of God, revealing Himself to mankind. As you learn them and meditate upon them, you are learning of Him and His nature. His Word is the revelation of Himself to you in love.

Better Equips You To Handle the Heartaches of Life

When you memorize God's Words, they become part of your thought process, providing truth and wisdom that give light to you as you walk through a path of suffering or difficulty.

Gives You the Wisdom to Make Good Choices

The entire Bible, both the old testament and the new testament, is filled with God's wisdom to teach us how to navigate life's decisions, big or small.

James 1:5 says that if "any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." God is pleased to answer our cry for wisdom, bringing His word to our remembrance.

Brings You Peace

In moments of trouble or anxiety, or when worries about life or beloved ones prevent rest, giving praise to Jesus with the words of scripture can restore hope and peace to your heart and drive fear away.

Our world tends to flood our minds with negative and intrusive thoughts, but anchoring our thoughts in the truth of the Bible brings blessing.

Helps Us to Witness to Others

The essence of witnessing to others is telling them the story of redemption found in God's word. What better preparation for this endeavor than memorizing the scriptures?

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All of the Bible is about Jesus....and His plan of salvation for the world. Memorizing the Bible gives you purpose and conviction for your own life. Then those words and principles are exactly right for offering the world an opportunity to avoid the fate of those who reject Jesus Christ by becoming children of God!

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What is Wisdom Literature?

All of God's word contains wisdom from Him, but there are different designations for different portions of Scripture.

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Wisdom books are considered to be Proverbs, Job, Ecclesiastes, and a selection of the Psalms. Wisdom psalms are 1, 14, 37, 73, 91, 112, 119, and 128 and tend to be distinctive, usually distinguished by a meditative tone.

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Which Wisdom Psalms Should I Memorize?

Every line of scripture that you memorize brings prosperity to your soul! The Psalms seem to be so relevant and conversational that, for many, they are easier to learn than some other passages.

As you memorize, you will gain proficiency, and it will get easier and easier. Psalm 127:1 says, "Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain."....Memorizing scripture is a firm foundation from the Lord for your spiritual house.

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Psalm 1

Psalm 1 contrasts the righteous with the ungodly. This passage encourages your heart to do right and follow God's law even when it's difficult. God teaches here that blessings come by refusing to take counsel or example from the sinners and the scornful but rather to delight in the law of the Lord!

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He explains that strength and bearing good fruit in your life are the outcomes of this choice....unlike the ungodly who will be blown with every wind and perish in the end.

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Psalm 14

Psalm 14 paints a picture of the outcome of foolishness...corruption, and filthiness. And in verses 5 and 6 tell of the fear of the wicked because God is the refuge of the righteous and the poor.

Remembering the final outcome for both the wise and the foolish is a powerful motivator to seek God's wisdom in your daily life.

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Psalm 37

Psalm 37 is a beautiful and comforting reminder to look at the big picture! God tells you not to fret because of what seems to be the success of evil-doers but to rest and wait patiently for Him.

He invites His people to "Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness". Also, to "Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act."

Psalm 37 concludes with the beautiful words, " And the Lord helps them, and delivers them; He delivers them from the wicked, and saves them because they take refuge in Him."

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Psalm 73

Psalm 73 is reminiscent of Psalm 37, contrasting the wicked with the righteous. The writer says that his foot was in slippery places because he was envious as he saw the wicked prosper.

He struggled with this unhappines about the prosperity of the wicked until he turned his attention to the Lord by entering into His presence and saw their end and gained wisdom.

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The Torah, the Law

Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible. The passage is singing the praises and teaching the benefits of God's Torah, or law.

176 verses give adoration to God, and thanks for His law, praising God in worship because (vs.105) "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."

It is from God's law that wisdom is acquired...providing instruction, clarity, direction, and light to your life.

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Psalm 112

"Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in His commandments!" What a beautiful beginning to a psalm that takes 10 verses to teach the blessings of righteousness!

Memorizing these rewards is a wonderful way to fill your heart with joy. This Psalm ends with the contrast that these righteous rewards are not for the wicked, but rather that "the desire of the wicked will perish".

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Conclusion

2 Timothy 3:16 "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man (person) of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."

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Hebrews 4:12 "For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joint and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."

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As children of God, the goal is to be growing in Christ, righteous, and equipped to do good and bear fruit for the Kingdom of God. The desire is to have a heart pure and focused. Happiness being attained all day long through prayer and worship, proclaiming with the heavens the very glory of God.

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Memorizing and meditating on Scripture is fundamental to the blessing that comes when your delight is in the Lord. The early church understood that focusing and founding their lives on the Word of God was the key to living in blessing and not in fear, and today is no different.

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