Beginner's Guide to Puritan Meditation
A step-by-step method to drinking in God's Word
Do you ever read your Bible and think “What now?”
Most of us know that after we’ve read the Bible we’re meant to do something with it. We’re meant to reflect on it, apply it. Yet sometimes it can be difficult to understand how to do that.
That next step is known as mediation.
I’ve personally found the Puritan method of meditation, laid out by Joel Beeke in Puritan Theology, to be helpful.
It’s not possible every day but is a deeper level of scriptural engagement. Think of it as a date night for the soul.
Below I outline how it works.
We begin with the method (which I’ve tried to keep simple enough that you could use it in your own study). Then I’ve given a worked out example so you can see it in practice.
A Meditation Method
Clear: Clear your mind of distractions and ask for the Spirit’s help
Read: Read Scriptures. Eventually, choose a verse to fix on. Memorise the relevant verse.
Head: The focus here is on knowledge. Bring to mind everything you know on the subject:
Are there past sermons or books you’ve read on the subject?
Break verse up word-by-word
Are there any questions you need to answer?
Heart: Stir up your affections on the subject. Preach to your soul in the voice of the greatest preacher you’ve ever heard.
Hands: Now focus on actions:
What have I done in the past?
What, by grace, will I do now?
Write particular resolutions. This is not to be done legalistically but with excitement about what the Spirit is doing in you.
6. Conclude: Pray and give thanks. Don’t rush too quickly to other things.
A Meditation Example
I want to give you a worked example. But I feel aware that I run the danger of being like a Pharisee praying aloud in the streets, trumpeting my devotions to the world.
So I’m going to write this from the perspective of a frazzled stay-at-home mum of four, whose husband has taken the kids out on a Sunday afternoon. That way you know I’m not boasting about my own devotions (which are nothing to shout about anyway).
1. Clear:
Our woman will spend a moment in prayer clearing the thoughts from her heart:
“Dear Father, this afternoon let me focus on you. I’m stressed about Brandon’s behaviour. I want to get downstairs to do some jobs. I’m worried about the conversation I need to have later, but I hand it over to your care.
Keep me focused on you in this time. By your Spirit, show me the things I need to see in this verse.”
2. Read:
The woman chooses to re-read the chapter of Zephaniah that was preached this morning. Eventually, this verse stands out:
He will take great delight in you;
in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
but will rejoice over you with singing (Zephaniah 3:17b)
3. Head:
Our stay-at-home mum might look at the preachers’ sermon outline in her notebook from this morning:
The Lord’s Judgement (v.1-8)
The Lord’s Restoration (v.9-20)
She remembers this is an encouragement to the original hearers that the Lord’s judgement against them is over.
Now she might think about the verse and splitting it up into sections. She sees a structure like this:
Main Idea: God takes great delight in me
What God won’t do: Rebuke
What God will do: Rejoice with singing
Then she asks if there’s anything she knows which helps her understand these verses.
Rejoicing with singing remind her of the rejoicing in heaven over every sinner who repents that is spoken of in Luke 15.
She might wonder why there is no longer rebuke for the original hearers. Tracing back she sees v.15 “The LORD has taken away your punishment”. This reminds her that the punishment that brought her peace was upon Jesus. So this verse is true of her too.
What does rebuke mean? Well, the wider context of Zephaniah is that Israel was due for punishment by God. God does correct her in her sin, but he doesn’t subject me to punishment like Israel faced.
At this point, our meditative mother may have a few questions. For example, she might wonder whether any other scriptures speak of God singing.
She may look it up, but she also is aware that she must spend her time wisely. Not every question needs to be answered to move on from this stage.
4. Heart
The point of this section is to take this information from facts to challenge. The woman now speaks to herself as if she were preaching:
“Isn’t it true that you think God is punishing you?
“Can that be true based on what is said here? No, it can’t! What does it say about God? He rejoices over you with singing!
“Think of how you are sometimes so overwhelmed with love for your kids you just sing about them. That same bubbling joy is true of God. How wonderful to think God sings his song over you!
“And you can never lose that song. You know why? Because the punishment has been taken by Christ. This song is yours forever more and it will never be stopped.”
5. Hands:
In this section, she thinks of what this may look like day to day. Two things stand out:
She might ask when she doubts God’s love. She remembers how this morning she was overcome with embarrassment when her toddler started screaming at the top of his lungs, whereas her friends’ children were perfect (as ever). She started to feel a failure as a mother and a Christian.
What can she do to remember this truth? Well she grabs a sticky note and writes the verse on it. That way next week if her son kicks off again, she can remember what was spoken of here.
She might also think of a friend she spoke to this morning. This friend struggles with depression and really doubts God’s love. She might pull out her phone and text the verse across to encourage her.
6. Conclude:
She now turns this into a prayer:
“Father God I thank you that you are a singing God. I cannot believe that you sing over me despite my many failings. Father, I confess I too often doubt your love for me. Help me in those moments of shame to be reminded of the song you sing over me. And please be with my friend. May these verses bring her comfort.”
Now try it!
This isn’t just something to read, it’s something to do. Pick a time this week when you can give this a go. If you get stuck at some point, feel free to leave a question in the comments so I can clarify.
I hope that even if you only do this once you will be encouraged in God’s Word.
This looks great, going to have to share this with my church!
This is very helpful Tim - I find the Puritan books and ways most helpful indeed! God bless you dear brother!