HAGAH -- MEDITATE ON THE LORD

Psalm 33:11 -- The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations.

In the Hebrew Bible, the common verb for “meditate” is "hagah", which can mean to murmur, utter, muse, or even growl, suggesting an audible, thoughtful recitation rather than silent detachment.

The root of the Hebrew word for "Muse" is הָגָה (hagah). It has a similar meaning: to meditate or ponder, often with an audible element like murmuring or low speech as one turns something over in the mind. The english definition of "muse" is essentially identical as well: A period of reflection or thought characterized by reflection or deep thought.

In his very first Psalm, David establishes meditation as a mark of a blessed life. 

Psalm 1:1-3 -- Blessed is the man

Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,

Nor stands in the path of sinners,

Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;

But his delight is in the law* of the Lord,

And in His law* he meditates day and night.

He shall be like a tree

Planted by the rivers of water,

That brings forth its fruit in its season,

Whose leaf also shall not wither;

And whatever he does shall prosper.

* In the Hebrew the word is "וּבְתֽוֹרָת֥וֹ" which contains the word Torah, is often translated as "Law" but it's meaning is "instruction" or "teaching" or "direction."  Therefore, you can read the verse:

"But his delight is in the law* of the Lord,

And in His law* he meditates day and night" 

as 

"But his delight is in the instruction* of the Lord,

And in His teaching* he meditates day and night."

These verses tell us not to walk in the "counsel of the ungodly (wicked)." Therefore, implicitly, we are to walk in Godly counsel. What could be described as a "Godly counsel?"

A Godly counselor is rooted in scripture, wisdom, and alignment with God's will. Godly counsel is Spiritually mature. 

Psalm 119:24 -- Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors.

Unlike the "Eastern" practice of emptying the mind, when we "meditate day and night” on biblical scripture we are fundamentally filling our mind and heart with God’s Word and truth.  In a metaphorical sense, we are filling a vessel. 

In Scripture, meditation is an active, focused engagement with what God has spoken so that it reshapes desire, imagination, and behavior. 

This “filling” is constructive: it involves concentrating on specific words of God, rehearsing them, and applying them to concrete situations. Scripture moves from mere information to internalized wisdom, shaping decisions, emotions, and habits.

I find the best time for me to practice Hagah is very early in the morning. I post most of my blogs after hours of meditating on a word or verse. The quiet and solitude serve to remove distractions so that the content of God’s Word can be more fully attended to. I actually blogged about this process six years ago. 

The great figures in the bible, like Joshua wrote of this. 

"Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful." Joshua 1:8

This is God speaking directly to Joshua. Meditation on Scripture isn't presented as optional, it's connected to obedience and spiritual flourishing.  Meditation is woven into the daily rhythm of biblical figures such Moses, Joshua, David as well new the great New Testament names. 

David connects the meditation of his heart directly to worship. What we dwell on internally matters to God, it's an offering.

"May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer." Psalm 19:14

There's an intimacy in meditation. Meditation isn't just self-improvement; it's communion with God that brings joy to both us and Him.

David meditated not only on Scripture but on God's works, His creation, His faithfulness, His past actions. Reflecting on what God has done builds faith for what He will do.

The apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 4:8:

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things." 

The apostle John wrote in 1 John 2:14: 

I have written to you, young men, Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, And you have overcome the wicked one.

We live in an age of constant distraction. Our minds are pulled in a thousand directions by notifications, news, and noise. Biblical meditation is a discipline that helps us:

• Slow down and be present with God
• Meditation turns scripture knowledge into heart transformation
• Combat anxiety by fixing our minds on truth (Isaiah 26:3)
• Hear God's voice more clearly in the stillness

May my meditation be sweet to him; I will be glad in the Lord." Psalm 104:34

This famous painting of George Washington praying at Valley Forge has always moved me. In our nation and the world there is so much distraction, deception, and confusion. But I think if one meditates on what George Washington was faced with at that moment in our history, and who he turned to for counsel, it might do a lot of good. 

Selah, pause and reflect, on the word "Hagah."

Epilogue:

The letters in the Hebrew word "Hagah" are הָגָה, Hey (5) + Gimel (3) + Hey (5) = 13.  This is the same value as the Hebrew word for Love (Ahava - אַהֲבָה) and the Hebrew word for Oneness (Echad - אֶחָד).  I would love to offer you what my meditation on those three Hebrew letters reveals, but that would make this blog post much too long. Suffice to say, the Hebrew letters have yet to let me down.