How can I have God’s Word hidden in my heart (Psalm 119:11)?

Answer

The incomparable significance and authority of God’s Word in the lives of those who cherish, respect, and follow it is the central theme of Psalm 119. In verse 11, the psalmist confesses, “I have concealed your word in my heart so that I may not sin against you,” emphasizing the purifying influence of God’s Word in preventing believers from falling into sin. Outward compliance stems from having the Scriptures deeply rooted in our hearts like a valuable treasure.

How can we store God’s Word in our hearts? Let’s begin by gaining a deeper comprehension of what the psalmist intends. The term “hidden” in the original Hebrew means “to treasure, to consider highly valuable, to conceal, preserve, save up, store.” Interpretations vary from “I have treasured your word in my heart” (CSB), to “I have stored up your word in my heart” (ESV), to “I’ve banked your promises in the vault of my heart” (The Message).

God’s Word is the instrument of His Spirit utilized to purify the hearts of all who have faith in Christ and are redeemed (Ephesians 5:25-27). By securely embedding God’s Word in our hearts and living in accordance with its teachings, believers continue to walk in righteousness (Psalm 37:31;Psalm 119:9).

The Lord instructed Israel, “Impress these words of mine on your hearts and minds; fasten them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, discussing them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates” (Deuteronomy 11:18-20). This passage highlights various ways we can conceal, treasure, and store up God’s Word in our hearts.

Let’s explore these in detail.

Read

One of the initial steps in storing God’s Word in our hearts is reading the Bible. We come to know God and comprehend His plan for our lives through the Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:16;Hebrews 4:12;Psalm 119:105). Every believer should strive for a consistent practice of reading through the Bible.

Listen

Proverbs 2:1–5 highlights the advantages of listening to the Word of God: “My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. . . . Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. Then you will understand what it means to fear the LORD, and you will gain knowledge of God” (NLT).

Romans 10:17 states, “So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ” (NLT). The spoken Word of Christ—the preaching of the gospel message—has the power to generate faith and reveal Christ. In the time of Jesus Christ, Scripture was read aloud in the synagogues and recited in households. When we listen to the Scriptures, either in music or read out loud, we reinforce God’s Word in our hearts.

Write

Proverbs 7:1–3 declares, “My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you. Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.” Jotting down our reflections as we read and listen to the Bible will help clarify and fortify those biblical truths in our hearts (Exodus 34:27;Deuteronomy 6:6,8-9;Habakkuk 2:2).

Talk About

Conversing about God’s Word with our children, spouse, friends, and small group members will further enhance, illuminate, and solidify its teachings in our hearts and minds «and thouShall teach them diligently to your children, and talk of them when you sit in your house, walk by the way, lie down, and rise up.” (Deuteronomy 6:7).

Study

The Bible encourages us to study the Scriptures for deeper understanding. “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.” (Acts 17:11). The apostle Paul advised Timothy, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth” “Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15). Utilize a study Bible and other resources to help you grasp accurately what Scripture conveys, not merely on the surface, but historically and within the proper context.

Meditate

The Bible also prompts us to “delight in the law of the LORD, meditating on it day and night” “But his delight is in the law of the LORD; And in his law he meditates day and night.” (Psalm 1:2, NLT). We are to contemplate God’s instructions and promises throughout the day and night “Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day.” (Psalm 119:97,148) “My eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate on your word.” (Psalm 119:97,148). By continuously pondering God’s Word, treasuring and storing it in our hearts, we can grow in our faith and understanding.

By embracing, internalizing, and concealing it in our hearts, it will truly alter how we think and behave «And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. », (Romans 12:2).