Written by Paul J Bucknell on April, 14, 2025

Biblical Meditation: Compare and Contrast

The Article Overview

This article examines the practice of biblical meditation by comparing and contrasting Psalm 37:4 with Matthew 6:33. By analyzing these two verses, we observe their shared themes: focusing on God, seeking His presence, and the promises associated with faithful pursuit—delight in the Lord and seeking His kingdom lead to the fulfillment of desires and provision for needs. The study encourages believers to reflect on how these truths apply to their lives and deepen their relationship with God.

Biblical meditation is a foundational means by which God’s people daily seek the Lord. From Psalm 1 or Joshua 1, we understand meditation’s crucial place in our pursuit to know God. John 15 illustrates the branches abiding in the Vine and how Biblical meditation works. We have spoken of this elsewhere and will refrain from discussing it here.

Instead, I want to share techniques for a deeper exploration of God’s Word. God uses many means to teach us through His Word, and I hope to provide some examples. These examples are not drawn from a book or pre-planned but arise from observations of specific instances of how the Lord guided my thoughts early one morning. These are not methods we seek to master but rather observations and help that help us appreciate how we learn, enabling us to learn more effectively and pass these lessons on.

There are endless opportunities for learning from God’s Word, both in scope and methodology. We hope this encourages further biblical exploration rather than limiting or narrowing it down.

Intentional observation during meditation results in insights.

Compare and Contrast

This specific methodology represents one of many scenarios in which the Spirit of God engages with God’s Word to inspire new inspirations. In this illustration, the Spirit led me to take an Old Testament verse and compare and contrast its truth with a New Testament verse. This process can also occur in reverse, first inspired by a New Testament verse, leading us to an Old Testament treasure. Both situations provide powerful teaching opportunities. They complement each other.

In this case, we first compare, revealing similarities, and then contrast, underscoring the differences.

Making Comparisons

This observation arose while reading Psalm 37:4. Although I have read and taught this verse numerous times, I became aware of a potential connection to Matthew 6:33. This served as a springboard for an entirely new set of biblical reflections.

Since Jesus taught Matthew 6:33, we might wonder, “Was this teaching based on Psalm 37:4?” I would say, in part, yes. While we don’t know for sure, the NASB note does not include such a reference. However, from my meditations, I believe Psalm 37:4 played a role in Jesus’ New Testament teaching.

Psalm 37 also expresses other themes from the Sermon on the Mount. First, we observe the illustration of fading grass.

“For they will wither quickly like the grass
And fade like the green herb.” (Ps 37:2)

“But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you?” (Mat 6:30)

We also observe the beatitude and teaching of humility associated with blessings, showing a slight variation in the surrounding text.

“But those who wait for the Lord, they will inherit the land.” (Psalm 37:9)

“But the humble will inherit the land
And will delight themselves in abundant prosperity.” (Psalm 37:11)

“Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.” (Mat 5:5)

In a sense, it doesn’t matter. Whether in part or in whole, we observe sufficient similarities that reassure us Jesus could be referencing Psalm 37, which can enhance both the Old and New Testament verses.

Before we begin the study, let me make some observations. Let me first caution you. Biblical meditation often unfolds unexpectedly, taking us on a winding path. We must be cautious not to stray too far, taking various turns, and losing our direction. While these diversions can be enjoyable, they may not be as beneficial as staying focused on one topic for as long as time permits. Those with limited time might be caught off guard, whereas others might be surprised by how much time they’ve spent contemplating these truths. The more we observe, the deeper our insights and appreciation become. Consider observing a flower blossom; the longer we look, the more observations we notice. Ultimately, we might realize the need for a notebook to jot down all our findings. So, let’s place the two verses side by side and explore their similarities. For now, let’s concentrate on their potential similarities.

The Similarities Between Psalm 37:4 and Matthew 6:33

Comparing or discovering similar features helps us understand what God’s Word is saying. Oftentimes, we read it generally rather than specifically. We desire to study it, but not in an academic manner which can exclude the Spirit’s more refined purpose of teaching us. Thus, in the back of our minds we are learning as we study, wondering how the Lord will further teach or prompt our souls.

While we examine the comparisons, the contrasts will also emerge. This is how the meditation process functions. However, focusing on one pattern at a time is advantageous for linear writing. We can note the others for future reference. We are uncovering what the verse, the Word of God, teaches. Meditation is like the sun’s revolving, illuminating various features and casting different shadows as it moves. Initially, we observe from one perspective but then shift our viewpoint, revealing other hidden aspects. We are discovering distinct yet concealed truths, not fabricating them.

I’ll begin with what first caught my attention. This OT-NT connection never occurred to me before, nor is it found in the NASB or the Open Bible cross reference. As I mentioned, this is somewhat speculation, but even if it doesn’t directly connect, this added focus uncovers previously unappreciated or undiscovered truths.

Comparison 1

I was reading Psalm 37:4, pondering its meaning, when a connection began to form in my mind. “I’ve encountered the meaning of this verse before.” At that moment, I was unsure what spawned this thought or how it was connected. As I continued meditating, I realized that the sense came from the link between the command and the reward: “Delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Eventually, the verse surfaced. Matthew 6:33 roughly states, “Seek the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.”

Delight in the Lord => Brings a bright reward

“Delight yourself in the Lord;
And He will give you the desires of your heart. “
(Psalm 37:4, NASB)

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Mat 6:33)

Both verses call us to focus on the Lord. “Delight” encourages us to energetically and excitedly contemplate the Lord’s goodness. I began to compare. Jesus’ words differ here, but the same sense is present. What things do I seek? I seek what I believe is worth the time to look for. We find this excitement in the parable of the Lost Coin (Luke 15:8-9). Upon its discovery comes a great excitement. We can reflect on the differences later, but that same eager seeking or joy is present in both verses. This, for me, initiated this compare-contrast exercise.

Since we are discussing biblical meditation, we aim to reap our findings. Let me share a few.

The Lord is deserving of our delight and pursuit.
The excitement arises from our familiarity with how the Lord has delightfully revealed Himself.
However, discovering one good thing about the Lord leads to many other expectations.
Does the Lord want to reveal more to me right now? What could it be? What do I not know about Him? Or what do I need to be reminded of again?

Each of the above points prompts me to consider how much I delight in or seek the Lord. They call out to my soul, urging me to delight and seek more. Deuteronomy 6:5 came to mind: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” The Spirit was calling me to go deeper, expect more, and further consecrate myself to His calling to know Him more. God is worthy of my delight and pursuit. (I’m trying to be brief here, as each question encourages me to reflect more!) Yet, there was another main comparison.

Comparison 2

The original similarity (i.e., the sense) has two parts. In Comparison 1, we examined the condition, but here, we will reflect on the reward. What do you notice? (After all, you want to learn how knowing God profits us!)

“Delight yourself in the Lord;
And He will give you the desires of your heart.”
(Psalm 37:4, NASB)

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Mat 6:33)

The reward or result follows our pursuit of the Lord. Do you believe these two verses convey the same message (i.e., “your desires” and “these things”)? Once again, we will focus on their similarities. God oversees the process of giving and undoubtedly fulfills our needs and wants. Let me highlight a few points.

God seeks to bless us.
Blessings come from God.
Meeting our needs is essential to seeking God.
Earthly rewards should follow our delight in Him, or we will become just like the world.
The crown of satisfaction arises from knowing how wonderfully the Lord cares for us.

Reflections follow our observations. We observe how these thoughts guide us toward godliness and open our hearts to the Spirit’s tugging on our lives. It tremendously helps us when we are alert to how the Spirit is tugging or prodding us.

In this case, I am led to rejoice in the Lord’s goodness and grace. He brings further rewards to my life as I delight in Him. This protects me from placing more value on things rather than on the excellent Giver, as the secular world has done. I catch more delightful glimpses of a God who desires to bless us while linking our blessings to His presence. Though comfortable, pleasing, and blessed, my circumstances offer different steps toward discovering the goodness of God. For example, the trees, bushes, and flowers all present their beauty and scents in succession each spring. I appreciate this springtime allure even more when I see Him as the one who gives it. Delighting in Him is a prerequisite for full enjoyment and satisfaction. I am overwhelmed.

Contrast 1

The two contrasts arise from observing the first and later parts of the two verses. Here, we wonder—rarely having all the answers—how is delight different from “Seek first His kingdom and righteousness”?

“Delight yourself in the LORD;
And He will give you the desires of your heart.”
(Psalm 37:4, NASB)

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Mat 6:33)

The first question is, “How does delighting in Yahweh (i.e., the LORD) differ from seeking His kingdom and righteousness?” We must then start searching for the meaning of each term or phrase, keeping the context in mind. While both verses invite us to deepen our quest for the Lord and His ways, they differ in expression.

Jesus, for example, adds the word “first. “Is this order taken from our verse 4? But delight always takes priority. If it exists, it must come first. It’s like the word “cling.” If you cling to your wife, you can’t hold onto another.
Delight means to be enraptured with. (In the Hebrew Hiphil tense, it means to “cause to trust, make secure,” or “to feel safe, be careless-Net Bible). One gives oneself to the one he can trust, bringing great comfort and peace.
Seeking God’s kingdom and righteousness differs greatly from delighting in God. It means being fully attentive to God’s purpose and rule. It can relate to Psalm 37:4 but carries an emphasis on living it out amid a foreign Roman empire, acknowledging the various calls on one’s life. As part of the contrast, we could also add the need to live separately from earthly powers and attractions.

Much more time could be devoted to each of these phrases. They seem to urge us to provide focused attention to God, yet they resonate differently due to our varying circumstances. If I wished to study further, I’d need to explore how the phrase “the kingdom of God” is used in Matthew and how “delight” is expressed in the Psalms. As I contemplate the applications, the Lord calls me away from worldly distractions and toward His righteous ways. This is not merely a solitary spiritual ascent into God’s presence (Psalm 37) where nothing else exists. Rather, we experience urban pressures and worldly influences encroaching upon our peaceful communion with God (Matthew 6). If I love Him, I embrace His ways (i.e., His righteousness) and can truly delight in His care for me.

Contrast 2

I will conclude this study by noting the differences between the last two clauses of these verses.

“Delight yourself in the LORD;
And He will give you the desires of your heart.”
(Psalm 37:4, NASB)

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Mat 6:33)

The context reveals that the disciples were keenly aware that others were faring better than they. They harbored concerns about their own livelihood (Mat 6:25). David expressed worry in a different way about those who wish to harm him- his enemies (Ps 37). The solution remains consistent: seek God. God is present in all our situations. We are fragile and have various needs. Nevertheless, God has sought us out and reminds us that when we truly trust Him, we will be cared for.
Are the desires of the heart the same as having one’s needs met? The heart’s desires seem to delve deeper into the purposes for which God has created us. Perhaps David contemplates preserving his life so God can fulfill His purposes through him. His life is literally being threatened. Jesus addresses the needs we encounter in our daily lives—persistent inflation, rising prices, car troubles, and being short on rent, among other challenges. The overall theme remains consistent: God is sufficient.

Summary

The comparisons help us better identify the truths to apply to our lives, while the contrasts extend our observations, giving rise to other studies as time and interest permit. The same truth, “give yourself to the Lord, and He will care for your life,” remains valid in every situation we encounter. We don’t need proof of the interconnectedness between these two verses, but the comparison-contrast study yields spiritual fruit in our lives. These foundational observations are essential for biblical meditation, which leads to lives blessed by God.

Comparisons and Contrast in Biblical Meditation

Bible Study Questions on Biblical Meditation

What is biblical meditation, and why is it significant in the life of a believer, as outlined in the document?
How does the author link Psalm 37:4 to Matthew 6:33, and what similarities do they share?
What are the main differences between “delighting in the Lord” and “seeking His kingdom and righteousness”?
According to the article, how does biblical meditation reveal new insights into scripture?
What examples does the author use to illustrate the connection between Psalm 37:4 and Matthew 6:33?
What role does the concept of reward play in the two verses, and how does it relate to a believer’s relationship with God?
How does the document describe the differences in context between the Old Testament and New Testament passages?
Why does the author suggest that understanding contrasts between scriptures benefits spiritual growth?
What practical applications does the author propose for incorporating biblical meditation into daily life?
How does personal reflection encourage readers to explore their relationship with God through scripture?