In Psalm 1:2 and Joshua 1:8, the Hebrew term for meditate is “hagah,” which means to mutter (out loud to yourself, to mull over, to ponder, to think about.
In Psalm 119: 15; 23, 27, 48, 78, 97, 99 and 148 the Hebrew term for meditate is “siyach“, which means to ponder, reflect upon and talk out loud to yourself.
Therefore, meditation is to “hagah” or “siyach” on the Word of God — to read it out loud — over and over again — and then ponder, reflect and contemplate the Word.
Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness. . .2 Timothy 3:16 (WEB)
Daily meditation and contemplation on the Word of God will transform and renew your spirit and your mind.
Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:2 (WEB)
By meditating on Scripture, one intentionally and purposefully focuses attention on the Word of God. The goal is spiritual transformation by meditation on the Word of God.
“The purpose of meditation is to penetrate the Scriptures and to let them penetrate us. Meditation attunes the inward self to the Holy Spirit so that our hearts harmonize and resonate with His voice.” (Boa, 2001, 177)
Source: Kenneth Boa, Conformed to His Image: Biblical and Practical Approaches to Spiritual Formation (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2001), 177.