Bible passages to be memorized

"I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you" -- Psalm 119:11

Introduction to Biblical Literature

Four biblical passages must be memorized as part of the Introduction to Biblical Literature course. For your convenience, here is the wording of those passages from the New International Version. Wording from other translations can be used with the professor's prior permission.

The word count is given so that you can better check to see if you have left anything out in writing a passage down from memory.

The Ten Commandments, Exodus 20

Also called the Decalogue or "ten words"

Drawing of two stone tablets with the words Take two tablets written underneath

160 words

³ You shall have no other gods before me.
⁴ You shall not make for yourself an idol.
⁷ You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God.
⁸ Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
¹² Honor your father and your mother.
¹³ You shall not murder.
¹⁴ You shall not commit adultery.
¹⁵ You shall not steal.
¹⁶ You shall not give false testimony.
¹⁷ You shall not covet.

A meditation on the Ten Commandments

Psalm 23

117 words

¹ The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not be in want.
² He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
³ he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
⁴ Even 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.
⁵ You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
⁶ Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

A meditation on Psalm 23

The Beatitudes, Matthew 5:3-12

141 words

³ Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
⁴ Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
⁵ Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
⁶ Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
⁷ Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
⁸ Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
¹⁰ Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
¹¹ Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
¹² Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

The "kenosis" passage: Philippians 2:5-11

(117 words)

     ⁵Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: ⁶Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, ⁷ but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
     ⁸And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death -- even death on a cross!
     ⁹Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, ¹⁰that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ¹¹and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

What does "verbatim" mean?

Several times one semester, Professor Jon Middendorf reviewed in class the Introduction to Biblical Literature syllabus section about memorizing some specific biblical passages. The text of those three passages was supplied on a sheet in the syllabus.

Showing students that sheet, Prof. Middendorf told students to memorize the text on that page exactly as it was presented to them, verbatim from the Bible.

Later, a student -- upon receiving her graded memory quiz back and seeing that she had not scored well -- commented to him, "Man, your definition of verbatim is too strict."

"Take two tablets" graphic is from a poster by Church Ad Project

"Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" -- Matthew 4:4

Why are the Old Testament books in the order in which they appear in Bibles today?

Why aren't the Old Testament books in chronological order? Why do they appear in the order that we have them? [ more ]

-- Howard Culbertson,

Afterword: Rationale for Memorizing Bible Verses

The rationale for memorizing Bible verses varies depending on one's beliefs and objectives. Here are several reasons why many people find Bible memorization beneficial:

Spiritual Growth: Memorizing Bible verses can deepen our understanding of the Bible. By committing verses to memory, we can internalize the meaning of those passages. They can thus wind up being a guide for our daily lives.
Encouragement and Comfort: Knowing Bible verses by memory can provide comfort and encouragement during difficult times. Recalling Bible passages that speak to hope, perseverance, and faith can offer solace and strength when facing challenges.
Communication of the Gospel: Memorizing Bible verses equips us to communicate our faith to others. Being able to quote relevant scripture in conversations or during teaching opportunities enhances the clarity and impact of what we are saying.
Combatting Temptation: Memorizing Bible verses can serve as a defense against temptation and sin. That follows the model of Jesus when He was tempted by Satan in the wilderness.
Renewing the Mind: The Apostle Paul encourages believers to allow God to renew (or re-mold or change) their minds (Romans 12:2). Memorizing scripture can facilitate this re-shaping of our thought patterns.
Meditation and Reflection: Memorizing Bible verses encourages regular meditation on God's word. Reflecting on memorized verses allows us to delve deeper into their meanings and application. That will foster our spiritual growth and intimacy with God.
Strengthening Faith: Memorizing Bible verses can strengthen our faith by providing a solid foundation of truth to stand upon. Recalling verses that speak to God's promises, faithfulness, and love can bolster our confidence in His character and plans for our lives.

How to Memorize Bible Verses: Tips to Help You

Here are some techniques and strategies to help you memorize effectively:

Break it Down: Divide the passage into smaller, manageable chunks. This makes it easier to digest and remember.
Use Mnemonics: Create acronyms, rhymes, or vivid associations to link new information with something you already know.
Repetition: Review the material multiple times. Repetition helps reinforce memory.
Visual Aids: Use diagrams, charts, or mind maps to represent the information visually. Visual learners often find this approach helpful.
Teach Someone Else: Teaching someone else what you want to memorize forces you to organize your thoughts and reinforces your understanding.
Spaced Repetition: Review the material at intervals over time. Spacing out your study sessions helps with long-term retention.
Use Multiple Senses: Engage multiple senses while studying. Read the passage aloud. Write down the verses. Create flashcards.
Create a Story: Turn the wording of the passage into a story with characters and events. Narrative techniques can make the material more memorable.
Focus and Eliminate Distractions: Find a quiet, comfortable environment to study. Minimize distractions to maintain focus.
Get Enough Sleep: Quality sleep is essential for memory consolidation. Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night.
Stay Organized: Keep your study materials well-organized to reduce stress and make it easier to review.
Use Memory Palaces: Visualize a familiar place and associate each piece of information with a specific location within that place.
Review Before Bed: Spend a few minutes reviewing the material before going to sleep. This can enhance memory consolidation during sleep.
Stay Hydrated and Eat Healthily: Proper hydration and nutrition are important for cognitive function and memory.
Use Technology: Utilize apps or online tools designed for memorization, such as flashcard apps or spaced repetition software.
Reward Yourself: Create a system of rewards for reaching memorization goals to motivate yourself.
Stay Positive: Maintain a positive attitude toward learning and believe in your ability to memorize the Bible. A positive mindset can enhance performance.

Experiment with these techniques to find what works best for you. Adapt them to suit the Bible verse you're trying to memorize.