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Meditating on the Word
“Daily, quiet reflection on the Word of God as it applies to me becomes for me a point of crystallization for everything that gives interior and exterior order to my life,” wrote Dietrich Bonhoeffer to his colleagues at the warfront in the winter of 1942. Now back in print after a decade, this collection of Bonhoeffer's writings, sermons, and letters on meditation―including his unfinished meditation on Psalm 119―reveals his deep love for the Bible as a focus for his prayer life and a support in his courageous political life. “Why do I meditate?” asks Bonhoeffer. “Because I am a Christian. Therefore, every day in which I do not penetrate more deeply into the knowledge of God's Word in Holy Scripture is a lost day for me.”
144 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1985
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636 people want to read
About the author
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
368 books1,770 followersWorks of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Protestant theologian of Germany, concern Christianity in the modern world; for his role in a plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler, people executed him.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer served as a Lutheran pastor. He, also a participant in the movement of Resistance against Nazism and a member, founded the confessing church. Members of the Abwehr, the military intelligence office planned his involvement, which resulted in his arrest in April 1943 and his subsequent hanging in April 1945 shortly before the end of the war. His secular view influenced very many people.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dietric...
Dietrich Bonhoeffer served as a Lutheran pastor. He, also a participant in the movement of Resistance against Nazism and a member, founded the confessing church. Members of the Abwehr, the military intelligence office planned his involvement, which resulted in his arrest in April 1943 and his subsequent hanging in April 1945 shortly before the end of the war. His secular view influenced very many people.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dietric...
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
December 20, 2021
I've always found Bonhoeffer's writings thought provoking.
December 10, 2017
"Meet him first in the day, before you meet other people."
"The first moments of the new day are not the time for our own plans and worries, not even for our zeal to accomplish our own work, but for God’s liberating grace, God’s sanctifying presence."
"Before our daily bread should be the daily Word. Only thus will the bread be received with thanksgiving."
"I can be certain that there is no life situation for which God’s Word will not speak the necessary direction. But it requires earnest attentiveness, tireless questioning and study in order to perceive the right commandment and thus be able to recognize the inexhaustible goodness of God in all his commandments."
"Do I forget to eat and drink and sleep? Why do I forget God’s Word? Because I am not yet able to say with the psalmist: “My delight is in your statutes.” I never forget that in which I delight. To forget or not is a matter not only of the mind but of the whole person, including the heart. That on which my life and soul depend I cannot forget."
"The giving of thanks can only begin when the gift of the divine Word is acknowledged; indeed, only when I am immersed in the study of the divine Word. How could one begin to give thanks to God and not concern oneself with his Word? What kind of thanks would it be to receive the gifts but refuse the required obedience to the giver? It would be a pagan thanksgiving, which is indeed widely practiced.
That is not a giving of thanks to the Lord God, but rather to an impersonal fate or fortune to which I am in no way obligated. Thanks to God that does not proceed from an obedient heart is presumption and falsehood. Only when God’s revealed Word has made our heart want to obey him can we thank God for earthly and heavenly gifts..."
"I thank God because I want to learn and know what he requires of me, but I thank him as one who is still only learning, who still lacks everything when measured by God’s righteous judgments. So thanksgiving leads me back to the giving God and then forward to the commanding God, in order finally to find in him his righteousness, which I experience anew as righteousness given to me. “Whoever offers me the sacrifice of thanksgiving honors me; but to those who keep in my way will I show the salvation of God” (Ps. 50:24)."
"The first moments of the new day are not the time for our own plans and worries, not even for our zeal to accomplish our own work, but for God’s liberating grace, God’s sanctifying presence."
"Before our daily bread should be the daily Word. Only thus will the bread be received with thanksgiving."
"I can be certain that there is no life situation for which God’s Word will not speak the necessary direction. But it requires earnest attentiveness, tireless questioning and study in order to perceive the right commandment and thus be able to recognize the inexhaustible goodness of God in all his commandments."
"Do I forget to eat and drink and sleep? Why do I forget God’s Word? Because I am not yet able to say with the psalmist: “My delight is in your statutes.” I never forget that in which I delight. To forget or not is a matter not only of the mind but of the whole person, including the heart. That on which my life and soul depend I cannot forget."
"The giving of thanks can only begin when the gift of the divine Word is acknowledged; indeed, only when I am immersed in the study of the divine Word. How could one begin to give thanks to God and not concern oneself with his Word? What kind of thanks would it be to receive the gifts but refuse the required obedience to the giver? It would be a pagan thanksgiving, which is indeed widely practiced.
That is not a giving of thanks to the Lord God, but rather to an impersonal fate or fortune to which I am in no way obligated. Thanks to God that does not proceed from an obedient heart is presumption and falsehood. Only when God’s revealed Word has made our heart want to obey him can we thank God for earthly and heavenly gifts..."
"I thank God because I want to learn and know what he requires of me, but I thank him as one who is still only learning, who still lacks everything when measured by God’s righteous judgments. So thanksgiving leads me back to the giving God and then forward to the commanding God, in order finally to find in him his righteousness, which I experience anew as righteousness given to me. “Whoever offers me the sacrifice of thanksgiving honors me; but to those who keep in my way will I show the salvation of God” (Ps. 50:24)."
December 30, 2023
Bonhoeffer deserves 4.5 stars, the intro and afterward 0 stars.
The best part by far is Bonhoeffer on Psalm 119, which is the last third of the book, and really needs to be its own booklet. It is full of good and rich meditations.
The worst part is the translator using female pronouns where Bonhoeffer put male ones for inclusivity, and the editorial content which among other shocking things, bashes Evangelicals as being "narrow, unloving," and many other slanders. It has really offensive and malicious language to open and close such a great meditation by a Christian saint.
The best part by far is Bonhoeffer on Psalm 119, which is the last third of the book, and really needs to be its own booklet. It is full of good and rich meditations.
The worst part is the translator using female pronouns where Bonhoeffer put male ones for inclusivity, and the editorial content which among other shocking things, bashes Evangelicals as being "narrow, unloving," and many other slanders. It has really offensive and malicious language to open and close such a great meditation by a Christian saint.
August 15, 2013
Studious, joyful Bonhoeffer. The centerpiece of this collection is a few short pieces which he wrote to help his seminarians at FInkenwalde and elsewhere to learn how to slow down and chew the Word of God. It is an appeal to us all to love the Bible - not for its intellectual content, but rather for its life-granting, life-changing power. This was a surprising idea for many young seminarians at the time (Cf. Metaxas), because they had chosen theology as a profession, and sometimes did not fathom the personal aspect of God. Strange to think, but true.
Otherwise, this book includes his meditations on Psalm 119 (incomplete), a few sermons, and a few letters, all of which center around the idea of meditation on the word. The editing causes it to flow fairly well from piece to piece in the first half or so, but then becomes a little piecemeal later on. However, the essential content is very good.
Otherwise, this book includes his meditations on Psalm 119 (incomplete), a few sermons, and a few letters, all of which center around the idea of meditation on the word. The editing causes it to flow fairly well from piece to piece in the first half or so, but then becomes a little piecemeal later on. However, the essential content is very good.
February 28, 2016
Beautiful and poignant
Maybe the last book I would have chosen on my own, but once I started to read it, I couldn't stop. Beautiful and poetic. Poignant as the essays get shorter as his execution approaches.
Maybe the last book I would have chosen on my own, but once I started to read it, I couldn't stop. Beautiful and poetic. Poignant as the essays get shorter as his execution approaches.
July 3, 2018
1/3 = Excellent description of what and why meditation
2/3 = Good journalling through various Psalms
3/3 = Good journalling through Psalm 119
2/3 = Good journalling through various Psalms
3/3 = Good journalling through Psalm 119
January 27, 2025
This is a short collection of Bonhoeffer’s writing. All of which is excellent.
Unfortunately the author took the liberty of changing many of the original writings into feminine pronouns. It is jarring and detracts from the intended writing. Masculine pronouns have always been the generic pronoun for “humankind.” To change it does not make it more “inclusive” but instead narrows the audience from all to half. As a female, I find this practice frustrating.
Unfortunately the author took the liberty of changing many of the original writings into feminine pronouns. It is jarring and detracts from the intended writing. Masculine pronouns have always been the generic pronoun for “humankind.” To change it does not make it more “inclusive” but instead narrows the audience from all to half. As a female, I find this practice frustrating.
January 14, 2024
Bonhoeffer uncovers the Word of God to be such a rare treasure — that it is of the greatest gain for one to obtain and the grandest life for one to live by. To whomsoever allows its words to sink from their head to their heart is no poor man whatsoever.
January 17, 2025
Good quick read. The first section about meditating on scripture was stellar, the section on Psalm 119 took a minute to take off, but once it did it was special.
August 20, 2013
Meditating on the Word by Dietrich Bonhoeffer (Book Reaction)
I picked up this book in hopes for a simple guidance from a trusted source. Like he mentioned of students in a letter to Karl Barth, Bonhoeffer said, “The kind of questions serious young theologians put to us are: 'How can I learn to pray? How can I learn to read the Bible? Either we can help them do this, or we can't help them at all.'”
I felt like a young student of Bonhoeffer as I read along, eating up his simple answers.
The little section I resonated most with was written like a short catechism in question and answer.
1.) Why do I meditate?
Because I am a Christian.
Because I am a preacher of the word. I cannot expound on the Scripture for others if I do not let it speak daily to me.
Because I need a firm discipline of prayer. … Prayer is not a free will offering to God; it is an obligatory service, something which he requires. We are not free to engage in it according to our own wishes.
Because I need help against the ungodly haste and unrest which threaten my work as a pastor.
2.) What do I want from my meditation?
We want to meet Christ in his word. We turn to the text in our desire to hear what it is that he wants to give us and teach us today through his Word. Meet him first in the day before you meet other people. Every morning lay upon him everything that preoccupies you and weighs you down, before new burdens are laid upon you. Ask yourself what still hinders you from following him completely and let him take charge of that, before new hindrances are placed in your way.
His fellowship, his help, his guidance for the day through his Word - that is the goal.
3.) How shall I meditate?
[Meditating on Scripture is preferable to free meditation.]
Just as you would not dissect and analyze the word spoken by someone dear to you, but would accept it just as it was said, so you should accept the Word of Scripture and ponder it in your heart as Mary did. Do not look for new thoughts and interconnections in the text as you would a sermon! Do not ask how you should tell it to others, but ask what it tells you! Then ponder this word in your heart at length, until it is entirely within you and has taken possession of you.
This is not the place for the Greek New Testament, but for the familiar Luther text.
We begin our meditations with the prayer for the Holy Spirit, asking for proper concentration for ourselves and for all who we know are also meditating. Then we turn to the text. At the close of the meditation we want to be truly able to say a prayer of thanksgiving from a heart that is full.
What text, and how long should the text be? 10-15 verses and meditate on it over a period of a week. Whatever you do, don't take the sermon text for the next Sunday!
The time of meditation is in the morning before the beginning of our work. A half hour is the minimum amount of time which a proper meditation requires. It is, of course, necessary that there be complete quiet, and that we intend to allow nothing to divert us, no matter how important it may seem.
4.) How do we overcome the problems of meditation?
The first rule is to not become impatient with yourself. Just sit down again every day and wait very patiently. Incorporate thoughts that come at you into your prayer later on; connect them to the text.
Read the same passage again and again, write down your thoughts, learn the verse by heart. …recognize the danger of fleeing once again from meditation to Bible scholarship and the like. Behind all our uncertainties and needs stands our great need to pray…
On Morning Prayer in Community
Before our daily bread should be the daily Word.
…an hour of quiet time and common devotion.
Although we are often not “in the mood” for it, such devotion is an obligatory serve to the One who desires our praises and prayers, and who will not otherwise bless our day but through His Word and our prayers.
…Grounded in the Scripture, we learn to speak to God in the language which God has spoken to us. We learn to speak to God as the child speaks to its mother.
…Above all, we should read the Psalms together. Then a not-too-modest portion of the Old and New Testaments should be read in series. The songs of the Church will place us in the great congregation of the present and the past. The prayer which one person speaks for the whole fellowship will bring the common concerns of the little congregation before God.
[Quotes, some modified and shortened, but meaning retained, are taken from Meditating on the Word by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, p. 29-41]
I picked up this book in hopes for a simple guidance from a trusted source. Like he mentioned of students in a letter to Karl Barth, Bonhoeffer said, “The kind of questions serious young theologians put to us are: 'How can I learn to pray? How can I learn to read the Bible? Either we can help them do this, or we can't help them at all.'”
I felt like a young student of Bonhoeffer as I read along, eating up his simple answers.
The little section I resonated most with was written like a short catechism in question and answer.
1.) Why do I meditate?
Because I am a Christian.
Because I am a preacher of the word. I cannot expound on the Scripture for others if I do not let it speak daily to me.
Because I need a firm discipline of prayer. … Prayer is not a free will offering to God; it is an obligatory service, something which he requires. We are not free to engage in it according to our own wishes.
Because I need help against the ungodly haste and unrest which threaten my work as a pastor.
2.) What do I want from my meditation?
We want to meet Christ in his word. We turn to the text in our desire to hear what it is that he wants to give us and teach us today through his Word. Meet him first in the day before you meet other people. Every morning lay upon him everything that preoccupies you and weighs you down, before new burdens are laid upon you. Ask yourself what still hinders you from following him completely and let him take charge of that, before new hindrances are placed in your way.
His fellowship, his help, his guidance for the day through his Word - that is the goal.
3.) How shall I meditate?
[Meditating on Scripture is preferable to free meditation.]
Just as you would not dissect and analyze the word spoken by someone dear to you, but would accept it just as it was said, so you should accept the Word of Scripture and ponder it in your heart as Mary did. Do not look for new thoughts and interconnections in the text as you would a sermon! Do not ask how you should tell it to others, but ask what it tells you! Then ponder this word in your heart at length, until it is entirely within you and has taken possession of you.
This is not the place for the Greek New Testament, but for the familiar Luther text.
We begin our meditations with the prayer for the Holy Spirit, asking for proper concentration for ourselves and for all who we know are also meditating. Then we turn to the text. At the close of the meditation we want to be truly able to say a prayer of thanksgiving from a heart that is full.
What text, and how long should the text be? 10-15 verses and meditate on it over a period of a week. Whatever you do, don't take the sermon text for the next Sunday!
The time of meditation is in the morning before the beginning of our work. A half hour is the minimum amount of time which a proper meditation requires. It is, of course, necessary that there be complete quiet, and that we intend to allow nothing to divert us, no matter how important it may seem.
4.) How do we overcome the problems of meditation?
The first rule is to not become impatient with yourself. Just sit down again every day and wait very patiently. Incorporate thoughts that come at you into your prayer later on; connect them to the text.
Read the same passage again and again, write down your thoughts, learn the verse by heart. …recognize the danger of fleeing once again from meditation to Bible scholarship and the like. Behind all our uncertainties and needs stands our great need to pray…
On Morning Prayer in Community
Before our daily bread should be the daily Word.
…an hour of quiet time and common devotion.
Although we are often not “in the mood” for it, such devotion is an obligatory serve to the One who desires our praises and prayers, and who will not otherwise bless our day but through His Word and our prayers.
…Grounded in the Scripture, we learn to speak to God in the language which God has spoken to us. We learn to speak to God as the child speaks to its mother.
…Above all, we should read the Psalms together. Then a not-too-modest portion of the Old and New Testaments should be read in series. The songs of the Church will place us in the great congregation of the present and the past. The prayer which one person speaks for the whole fellowship will bring the common concerns of the little congregation before God.
[Quotes, some modified and shortened, but meaning retained, are taken from Meditating on the Word by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, p. 29-41]
November 2, 2024
The only downside for this collection of Bonhoeffer's thoughts is the choice of the editor to interchange the gender pronouns. It actually was more distracting and confusing to the text. I'm a woman and can parse the use of male pronouns to be understood as humankind without switching back in forth between the male and female voices.
April 19, 2014
"It is advisable to base the quiet time of prayer on a passage of scripture. . . . Then the Word can dwell in us and begin to come alive; consciously or unconsciously, it will be present with us wherever we go." In this compilation of some of Bonhoeffer's sermons on the Psalms and meditation on the initial verses of Psalm 119 readers are drawn into his love of God's Word and the ways in which it dwelled in him. I was encouraged by his teaching on meditation and challenged to read the psalms and other scripture more deeply.
June 22, 2011
This book was another great look into the writings of Bonhoeffer. His 4 pages on meditation are some of the best and simplest on the need for prayerful pondering and interpretation and a call especially to pastors to their office of prayer. His sermons on the psalms were also very good.
December 5, 2009
A thought provoking devotional on Psalms by one of the 20th century's preeminent Christian luminary and martyr. A challenge for self-reflection and reformation.
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December 14, 2009Since the database does not list this information, the author is Dietrich Bonhoeffer, translated by David McI. Gracie.
July 28, 2010
This collection of short writings from Bonheoffer includes his teachings on meditation and sermons on Psalms 62, 42, 50, 90, and 58. Also included, are a letter he penned while in prison and his
March 4, 2016
Good sampling of shorter meditations and other unpublished writing from before his execution including several brilliant meditations on Psalms, including one long meditation on Psalm 119.
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April 14, 2023Bonhoeffer was a famous German pastor and theologian
who joined the German underground resistance against Hitler and was executed right before the war ended. His
theology is much more conservative than my progressive view but he was an admirable man and concerned for Jewish Germans and others persecuted by Hitler. Reading his words for a study I am in, makes me reflect in which ways he might have come down on social issues of our day.
who joined the German underground resistance against Hitler and was executed right before the war ended. His
theology is much more conservative than my progressive view but he was an admirable man and concerned for Jewish Germans and others persecuted by Hitler. Reading his words for a study I am in, makes me reflect in which ways he might have come down on social issues of our day.
October 22, 2024
This book is a collection of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s sermons and meditations on scripture and helps you see and think through how to meditate on scripture yourself. Although the content did have some great highlights for me, it was challenging to hold my attention and my mind would often get distracted when reading. It may be easier for me to listen to Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s books in the future rather than read.
November 1, 2019
Meditating on the Word by Bonhoeffer was inspiring. His insights are great, his mind so sharp and his faith was not just intellectual; he gave his life for his beliefs. Beautiful sermons on the specific Bible passages. Great encouragement on the importance of Meditating on the word, as well as instructions and methods for doing it.
September 23, 2025
This book discusses the concept and importance of meditation for those in the Christian faith. Bonhoeffer breaks the book down into manageable pieces by exploring some of the Psalms, particularly Psalm 119.
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January 31, 2021Helped me so much with my desire to love and treasure Scripture more.
January 1, 2025
2nd bk I have read by him. He is so relatable. I especially enjoyed the 2 sermons. Reminded me of the 1 Martin Luther sermon that I read
December 9, 2019
The first half of the book is instruction on why meditation is crucial to the Christian life and how to meditate. The second half is a compilation of sermons and reflections, to include Psalm 119. The first half of the book is great and a must read for those wanting to grow in Christian spirituality, the second half shows the application of the principles from the first half.
January 22, 2013
This helped me slow down to change the way I read scripture.
April 12, 2013
Keeps me focused all day and keeps me connected to the vine. Excellent Christian Resource!
June 8, 2017
Hard to rate this collection of meditations, letters, and sermons. The material is solid enough - Bonhoeffer is an excellent thinker - but it seems a hodgepodge of items that some translator assembled and simply titled, Meditating on the Word. Some good gems here but not a classic collection.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews