Translations
Psalm 119:15 (ESV) – I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.
Psalm 119:15 LXX
εν ταις εντολαίς σου αδολεσχήσω και κατανοήσω τας οδούς σου
In your commandments. I shall meditate. and I shall contemplate. your ways.
Psalm 119:15 Interlinear from the Hebrew – On Your precepts I will meditate and contemplate Your ways.
Connections
Psalm 119:23 [ESV] Even though princes sit plotting against me, your servant will meditate on your statutes.
Psalm 119:78 [ESV] Let the insolent be put to shame because they have wronged me with falsehood; as for me I will meditate on your precepts.
Psalm 119:97 [ESV] Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day.
Psalm 25:4 [ESV] Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths.
κατανοήσω [katanoeso] I shall contemplate
κατανοέω [katanoeo] appears fourteen times in the New Testament, most often translated as consider, perceive, contemplate and behold. One great example is from Heb 3:1 [ESV] Therefore holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider (κατανοήσατε) Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession,
This idea of being asked to “consider” Jesus – has a depth to it – it means to perceive, understand, and apprehend. Now I have started to ‘consider” what it means to “understand” Jesus. Surely this is a lifetime work, a lifetime habit, a continuous daily sojourn. It’s not just a passing thought or a brief moment of contemplation.
Reflections
While ideally for me I’d love to live in a wooden shack in the forest, go to the river each day to bathe, and spend my days writing, growing my food, and contemplating God through His word and nature. That is unlikely to happen. There will be moments when it feels natural and easy to contemplate Jesus, but mostly it’s a discipline that I choose for my life, and as I enter this discipline I discover desire and delight. I know this is good for me, and as I do it I desire to do it more, and as I lean into this desire I start to discover delight.
Strength Coaches comment – Discipline is a beautiful talent, that not only enjoys routine and structure but helps to create order for others on the journey.
Blessings
Allan