Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. ~ Psalm 19:14 (ESV)
My favorite method of reading Scripture is an ancient practice called lectio divina, which means “divine reading.” It’s a way of meditating on God’s Word, being with him in Scripture, and listening for him to speak. It has four simple steps.
Read—lectio. Read the passage slowly and carefully, remembering that God breathed these words into being. Once the words are familiar to you, read the passage again, paying attention to a word, phrase, or detail that shimmers or stands out to you.
Meditate—meditatio. Read through the passage thrice, reflecting and contemplating the text. Meditate on the word or phrase that stood out to you before. Why does it resonate with you?
Pray—oratio. Read through the text a fourth time. Then, talk to God about what the passage is stirring in your thoughts and heart. Pray in whatever way you feel led. You might offer thanks, ask God for something, or express worship to him.
Contemplate—contemplatio. Peacefully rest in and enjoy God’s presence with you through Scripture. Remember that God is there even when we don’t feel his presence. Don’t hurry to leave the moment. But before you finish, write a few sentences that describe your experience—what you read and what stood out to you. If you sensed God calling you to apply the Scripture somehow, write it down and resolve to do it.
Pick a shorter text (you’ll read it four times, after all), and go for it! The whole process can be done in ten minutes, although you should work up to at least half an hour. One of the most important Bible-reading tips I can give anyone is slow down. Don’t rush! Take your time. Communion with God can’t be hurried.
Here’s the entire text of Psalm 8. Practice lectio divina with this wonderful passage, and let me know your thoughts!
Psalm 8 (ESV)
To the choirmaster: according to The Gittith. A Psalm of David.
1 O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.
2 Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger.
3 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
4 what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?
5 Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.
6 You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet,
7 all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field,
8 the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas.
9 O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!