The last few days I have been working on revamping and expanding our list of family memory verses. I think this is going to be an ongoing project, but I wanted to put up what we have so far.
A friend recently asked me *why and how*? Very good question.
Let me start with *why* -
Psalm 119:11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.
Psalm 119:15-16 I will meditate on Your precepts, And contemplate Your ways. I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.
Ephesians 16:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
Besides the verses above... we look over and over and over again at Jesus saying "it is written". He did not pull out a Bible and look these things up... he KNEW the Word. It was a ready and sharpened and polished sword... and we are to strive to emulate Him.
We are also currently blessed in this country with a ready supply of Bibles, but that might not always be the case...they can take our Bibles.. but not His Word in our hearts...
And... we hear often of pows who survived through singing hymns and quoting Scripture to themselves...
So anyway... it is our desire to help us and our dc to hide as much of God's Words in our/their hearts as possible. And not just individual verses, but portions of Scripture... important truths about God and how we are to live.
Honestly... I cannot remember how I made the first list. Originally the goal was a list of Scriptures by gender... and we'll still focus there somewhat, but we wanted to focus more on memorizing as a family. So I am working at expanding the lists. I started with verses from For Instruction in Righteousness and wrote all the references down, then I started looking them up at Bible Gateway. Some were taken pretty far out of context when I looked... so I started looking at chapters and pulling things out... then an idea would jump out from one and I'd do a keyword search.... and the list grew and continues to grow.
I am not real big on *New Years Resolutions*, but as a family we have set a goal for this year... To memorize 100 new verses. This seems very doable. At 100 verses per year in 5 years that is 500 verses, in 10 years that is 1,000. That seems rather overwhelming... so we'll take this one week, 1 year at a time.
Genesis 1:27-28 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
Genesis 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.
Genesis 9:1 So God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them: “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth.
Genesis 9:7 And as for you, be fruitful and multiply; Bring forth abundantly in the earth And multiply in it.
Genesis 33:5 And he lifted his eyes and saw the women and children, and said, “Who are these with you?” So he said, “The children whom God has graciously given your servant.”
Exodus 15:2 The LORD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation; He is my God, and I will praise Him; My father's God, and I will exalt Him
Exodus 20:1-17 The Ten Commandments And God spoke all these words: "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. "You shall have no other gods before me. (Loving the Lord) "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand {generations} of those who love me and keep my commandments. (Loving the Lord) "You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. (Loving the Lord) Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. (Loving the Lord) "Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you. (Love your neighbor) "You shall not murder. (Love your neighbor) "You shall not commit adultery. (Love your neighbor) "You shall not steal. (Love your neighbor) "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. (Love your neighbor) "You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor."(Love your neighbor)
Deuteronomy 6:4-9 “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
Deuteronomy 4:1-2 “Now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the judgments which I teach you to observe, that you may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers is giving you. You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.
Deuteronomy 4:4-8 “Surely I have taught you statutes and judgments, just as the LORD my God commanded me, that you should act according to them in the land which you go to possess. Therefore be careful to observe them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes, and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’ “For what great nation is there that has God so near to it, as the LORD our God is to us, for whatever reason we may call upon Him? And what great nation is there that has such statutes and righteous judgments as are in all this law which I set before you this day?
Deuteronomy 4:9 Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. And teach them to your children and your grandchildren
Deuteronomy 22:5 “A woman shall not wear anything that pertains to a man, nor shall a man put on a woman’s garment, for all who do so are an abomination to the LORD your God.
Psalm 1:1-2 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.
Psalm 19:7-11 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them Your servant is warned, And in keeping them there is great reward.
Psalm 19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.
Psalm 23 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.
Psalm 40:4 Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.
Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 78:1-4 Give ear, O my people, to my law; Incline your ears to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old, Which we have heard and known, And our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, Telling to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, And His strength and His wonderful works that He has done.
Psalm 78:5-6 For He established a testimony in Jacob, And appointed a law in Israel, Which He commanded our fathers, That they should make them known to their children; That the generation to come might know them, The children who would be born, That they may arise and declare them to their children,
Psalm 78:7-8 That they may set their hope in God, And not forget the works of God, But keep His commandments; And may not be like their fathers, A stubborn and rebellious generation, A generation that did not set its heart aright, And whose spirit was not faithful to God.
Psalm 111:7-9 The works of His hands are verity and justice; All His precepts are sure. They stand fast forever and ever, And are done in truth and uprightness. He has sent redemption to His people; He has commanded His covenant forever: Holy and awesome is His name.
Psalm 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever.
Psalm 119:11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.
Psalm 119:34-37 Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law; Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart. Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, For I delight in it. Incline my heart to Your testimonies, And not to covetousness. Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, And revive me in Your way
Psalm 119:97-98 Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies; For they are ever with me.
Psalm 119:103-104 How sweet are Your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way.
Psalm 127:3-5 Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one's youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them;
Psalm 127 Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat- for he grants sleep to those he loves. Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate.
Psalm 128 Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in his ways. You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours. Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your sons will be like olive shoots around your table. Thus is the man blessed who fears the LORD. May the LORD bless you from Zion all the days of your life; may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem, and may you live to see your children's children. Peace be upon Israel.
Psalm 139:13-16 For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them.
Psalm 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 141:3-4 Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips. Do not incline my heart to any evil thing, To practice wicked works With men who work iniquity; And do not let me eat of their delicacies.
Proverbs 1:7-8 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction. My son, hear the instruction of your father, And do not forsake the law of your mother;
Proverbs 2:1-6 My son, if you receive my words, And treasure my commands within you, So that you incline your ear to wisdom, And apply your heart to understanding; Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding, If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures; Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, And find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding
Proverbs 3:5-7 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.
Proverbs 4:10-12 Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, And the years of your life will be many. I have taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in right paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hindered, And when you run, you will not stumble.
Proverbs 4:14-15 Do not enter the path of the wicked, And do not walk in the way of evil. Avoid it, do not travel on it; Turn away from it and pass on.
Proverbs 4:24 Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
Proverbs 4:26-27 Ponder the path of your feet, And let all your ways be established. Do not turn to the right or the left; Remove your foot from evil.
Proverbs 6:16-19 These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.
Proverbs 6:20-23 My son, keep your father’s command, And do not forsake the law of your mother. Bind them continually upon your heart; Tie them around your neck. When you roam, they will lead you; When you sleep, they will keep you; And when you awake, they will speak with you. For the commandment is a lamp, And the law a light; Reproofs of instruction are the way of life
Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Proverbs 10:19 When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.
Proverbs 11:13 A talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.
Proverbs 12:10 A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.
Proverbs 12:22 The LORD hates lying lips, but he delights in men who are truthful.
Proverbs 13:1 A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, But a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.
Proverbs 13:18 Poverty and shame will come to him who disdains correction, But he who regards a rebuke will be honored.
Proverbs 13:20 He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed.
Proverbs 13:24 He who spares his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly.
Proverbs 14:16 A wise man fears the LORD and avoids evil, but a fool rages and is arrogant.
Proverbs 14:26 He who fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge.
Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 15:5 A fool despises his father's instruction, But he who receives correction is prudent.
Proverbs 15:19 The way of the lazy man is like a hedge of thorns, But the way of the upright is a highway.
Proverbs 16:3 Commit your works to the LORD, And your thoughts will be established.
Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.
Proverbs 16:25 There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.
Proverbs 16:31 The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, If it is found in the way of righteousness.
Proverbs 16:32 Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city.
Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is there for you in adversity.
Proverbs 17:27 He who has knowledge spares his words, And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit.
Proverbs 18:13 He who answers before listening- that is his folly and his shame.
Proverbs 21:21 He who follows righteousness and mercy Finds life, righteousness, and honor.
Proverbs 21:23 Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles
Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 23:17 Do not let your heart envy sinners, but live in the fear of the LORD always.
Proverbs 24:1-2 Do not be envious of evil men, Nor desire to be with them; For their heart devises violence, And their lips talk of troublemaking.
Proverbs 26:18-19 Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death, Is the man who deceives his neighbor, And says, "I was only joking!"
Proverbs 28:13 He who hides his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
Proverbs 29:1 He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck, Will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
Proverbs 29:11 A fool vents all his feelings, But a wise man holds them back.
Proverbs 29:15 The rod and rebuke give wisdom, But a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.
Proverbs 29:17 Correct your son, and he will give you rest; Yes, he will give delight to your soul.
Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; But happy is he who keeps the law.
Proverbs 29:22-23 An angry man stirs up strife, And a furious man abounds in transgression. A man’s pride will bring him low, But the humble in spirit will retain honor.
Proverbs 31:10-31Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil All the days of her life. She seeks wool and flax, And willingly works with her hands. She is like the merchant ships, She brings her food from afar. She also rises while it is yet night, And provides food for her household, And a portion for her maidservants. She considers a field and buys it; From her profits she plants a vineyard. She girds herself with strength, And strengthens her arms. She perceives that her merchandise is good, And her lamp does not go out by night. She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hand holds the spindle. She extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of snow for her household, For all her household is clothed with scarlet. She makes tapestry for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them,And supplies sashes for the merchants. Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness. She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her: “ Many daughters have done well, But you excel them all.” Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, And let her own works praise her in the gates.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, And a time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted; A time to kill, And a time to heal; A time to break down, And a time to build up; A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing; A time to gain, And a time to lose; A time to keep, And a time to throw away; A time to tear, And a time to sew; A time to keep silence, And a time to speak; A time to love, And a time to hate; A time of war, And a time of peace.
Isaiah 40:29-31 He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 54:13 All your children shall be taught of the LORD, And great shall be the peace of your children.
Jeremiah 10:2 Thus says the LORD: “Do not learn the way of the heathens; Do not be dismayed at the signs of heaven, For the heathens are dismayed at them.
Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.
Micah 6:8 He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?
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