Word "meditation" in the Bible and meditating in general

[Bev17243]

When the word “meditate” is used in the Bible, do they mean “comtemplate” or reflect? there is number of passages but some examples-
Luke 21:14
Lay it up therefore into your hearts, not to meditate before how you shall answer:

22 Acts Of Apostles 4:25
Who, by the Holy Ghost, by the mouth of our father David, thy servant, hast said: Why did the Gentiles rage, and the people meditate vain things?

23 1 Timothy 4:15
Meditate upon these things, be wholly in these things: that thy profiting may be manifest to all.

because when I hear the word “meditate”, I always think about Eastern religion. I have encountered several Christians recently that promote what they call “soaking in God’s presence”-essentially you meditate and think about God and hoping he will “give you a sign or speak to you”. What does RC stance on something like that? Because it doesn’t seem right to me

 

[SonCatcher]

Meditation on God’s Word is certainly something we are to do as it has the tendency of drawing us to His divine Self. Immersed in God’s presence, we can find peace regardless of what is happening around us.

That said, the supposition that such meditation could provide clear guidance in our lives (e.g. what are we to eat, drink or wear?) is superstition.

 

[sllhouette]

Yes, it means contemplate or reflect.

 

[DaveBj]

In the OT, the word translated “meditate” literally meant “to mutter,” as in having a passage of the Torah memorized and saying it to yourself under your breath. Thus, you could literally do what Ps. 1:2 says and meditate in/repeat to yourself the Law of the Lord day and night.

The Luke 21 verse that you (OP) quoted falls more in the line of planning out how you’re going to answer questions put to you: He’ll say this, and then I’ll say that, and then he’ll come back with this, and then I’ll respond with that.