Scripture Memorization: Psalm 34

Psalm 34 Scripture Passage Memorization

Do you want to make scripture memorization a regular and ongoing part of your life? This article is part of a series going through 12 portions of scripture, one for each month of the year. The goal is to memorize more than individual Bible verses, but a chunk of scripture to help place verses in context with those around it.

I’ve assigned Psalm 34 for the month of November. Follow along with my monthly plan, or feel free to pick and choose specific passages as you wish.

For each passage, I am including a free download containing the full Bible passage, a fill-in-the-blank page, and a page with the first letter of each word. All these pages are useful in helping to memorize the verses.

Why You Should Memorize Scripture

There is simply no better way to be able to meditate on God’s word day and night than to commit it to memory. In Colossians we are told to “let the word of God dwell in you richly” (Col.3:16). The Israelites were told, “These commandments I give you today are to be on your hearts” (Deut. 6:6).

Knowing the word of God means we can obey it more readily. It renews our minds when we encounter difficulty or uncertainty, providing hope, peace, and surety in a chaotic world. Knowing God’s word means that we know Him better, as we spend time meditating on His character. It also allows us to share more easily with others the answer for the hope that we have within us.

Bible memorization can be considered a spiritual discipline. It is an activity undertaken for the purpose of knowing God more deeply and seeking to allow His word to transform us more and more into the image of Christ.

Scripture Memorization Tips and Tools

There are a number of methods and tools you can use to help you memorize scripture. Determining the best tools for you will be a process of trying things to see what is most helpful. You will probably find that there are a few methods that work best for you, and you’ll return to those tools again and again.

choose one translation
read repetitively
read it out loud
write it out
listen to it
eliminate words (cover some up, use fill-in-the blank)
use first letter of word as cue
put to music
use motion or hand gestures
use an app (VerseLocker, Bible Memory App)
memorize with another person or a group
keep printed copy with you in your purse or car
post where you will see it frequently (kitchen sink, bathroom, desk)
create a routine of short practice multiple times per day

My personal preference is to post a passage of scripture in my bathroom and in my planner. I see the passage multiple times per day and each time, I recite, review and add to my knowledge of the passage.

When I print the passage, I format it to group phrases together with intentional line breaks. The visual of some lines being short and others longer can sometimes help me remember the phrase as I visualize the way it looks on my paper.

Finally, my daughter and I often memorize the same passages and recite them aloud to one another, offering hints and help as we are learning together.

I also keep previously learned passages in those same places and regularly cycle through some of them to recite aloud and refresh my memory.

Psalm 34

I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad.
Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!

I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.
This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack!
The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

What may is there who desires life and oves many days, that he may see good?
Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.
Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry.
The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken.
Affliction will slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
The Lord redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.

Read: 30 Days of Praying Scripture

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Memorizing Psalm 34

You can start memorizing scripture at any time. No need to wait for the beginning of the month or a new year. Jump in and start memorizing today! My free download includes the scripture labeled with the month of September to correspond with my plan, along with an unlabeled version to use any time.

Visit the resource library and grab your free printable copy of Psalm 34 and start hiding His word in your heart. You won’t regret it.