Psalm 118:
A Commentary
by Saint Theophan the Recluse
(1815-1894)
by Saint John of Kronstadt Press, 2014
Goodreads

VERSE 16:
On Thy statutes will I meditate;
I will not forget Thy words.

The author sees an evolution between v.15 (I will ponder = I will research assiduously, which leads to I will understand), and here v.16: I will meditate = I will memorize, which leads to I will not forget.
This is the type of details Theophan noticed that blow my mind. This is the type of things you notice only when you spend a lot of time praying and chewing on a text.

He remarks that the meditate/learn used here is μελετη in Greek, the verb used to describe for instance the activity of Saint Anthony’s disciples, as they are asked to memorize a few psalms.
The Fathers often recommend to “Have the secret teaching”, that is, to concentrate and repeat the Jesus Prayer.
To meditate is also “to turn over with delight in the mind and on the tongue” (p.47), like a piece of candy (Theophan’s image, not mine!)

Thus the importance to nourish the memory with good things, in the battle against the thoughts.

This is the end of the second octave

PLEASE SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THESE NOTES
Any reflection on these quotes?