How do you select which verses to memorize?

[chongjasmine]

I have a question. There are so many, so many verses in the bible. How do you actually select which verses you are going to memorize?

[NConly]

I myself start with verses about the present Priesthood, Faith. Salvation, New Covenant, New Commandments the old law.

[Debp]

Important verses... salvation, faith, spiritual warfare.   Also, some comforting verses.

[Neighbor]

Hi,

I do not select verses to memorize.

Why? Because memorized verses get spewed out with a meter that  says my  brain is on disconnect I am pattering on mindlessly. Instead, I try to read the word without any verse references at all. I read it for pleasure first and then also for lessons and for application, but not to isolate a sentence or phrase from it's companions and memorize it.

The Holy Spirit seems to bring whole thoughts, chapters, books, of the Bible to mind for application, more so than a so called  verse used as a slogan might do.

When did versification of the Bible first occur? Was it inspired of God, the isolating of phrases from their near context?

[other one]

I don't try and memorize verses, I remember the story it tells and not just one verse, but the storyline of whose chapters. A general knowledge of where it comes from, but it's more important to know and understand the scripture as a whole.  You can memorize a verse and miss the concept of an entire chapter or book.

[FJK]

36 minutes ago, other one said:

I don't try and memorize verses, I remember the story it tells and not just one verse, but the storyline of whose chapters. A general knowledge of where it comes from, but it's more important to know and understand the scripture as a whole.  You can memorize a verse and miss the concept of an entire chapter or book.

FWIW, a computer can memorize the versus far better than you can, but it can't understand what they mean.

I've sorta concentrated to on developing an understanding of scripture and left memorizing the exact words and where they are referenced up to my computer where it is always the same and doesn't slowly change itself into something just a little different they way it does in my memory sometimes.

[D. Adrien]

I memorize verses for the sole reason that while I'm doing this my mind is focused on teachings that lead to life and not being infiltrated as easily by frivolity of the self seeking, self aggrandizement which can lead to much worse.

I agree with Neighbor that having learned a verse by rote tends to just eliminate any meaning to the words when speaking them from memory. Empty syllables spewed from memory.

[farouk]

42 minutes ago, D. Adrien said:

I memorize verses for the sole reason that while I'm doing this my mind is focused on teachings that lead to life and not being infiltrated as easily by frivolity of the self seeking, self aggrandizement which can lead to much worse.

I agree with Neighbor that having learned a verse by rote tends to just eliminate any meaning to the words when speaking them from memory. Empty syllables spewed from memory.

Hi @D. Adrien I am reminded of Psalm 119.11: "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee."

[D. Adrien]

Wonderful quote farouk !

I've memorized the following from Job and believe it would make a grand epitaph on a tombstone, kinda long though. Copy and pasted for accuracy.

Job 19:25-27 (ESV)

For I know that my Redeemer lives,
and at the last he will stand upon the earth.
26And after my skin has been thus destroyed,
yet in my flesh I shall see God,
27whom I shall see for myself,
and my eyes shall behold, and not another.
My heart faints within me!

 

[farouk]

9 minutes ago, D. Adrien said:

Wonderful quote farouk !

I've memorized the following from Job and believe it would make a grand epitaph on a tombstone, kinda long though. Copy and pasted for accuracy.

Job 19:25-27 (ESV)

For I know that my Redeemer lives,
and at the last he will stand upon the earth.
26And after my skin has been thus destroyed,
yet in my flesh I shall see God,
27whom I shall see for myself,
and my eyes shall behold, and not another.
My heart faints within me!

 

@D. Adrien There's a sung version of this also............ not only the one from Handel's Messiah but another one, the author of which I don't recall.