Since my orality-literacy class last term, the previously nonexistent desire to memorize things has suddenly sprung up inside me. We learned about the people in cultures from long ago and/or far away who memorize huge amounts of words on a regular basis, usually because they don’t have access to books.
Before taking this class I said pooh-pooh! to anyone who thought memorizing scriptures or poems or songs was important. I disliked memorizing scriptures in seminary because it seemed like just another thing to check off the list, rather than a life-changing and important activity. I’d forget the verse as soon as I’d passed it off, and it seemed silly to memorize something when it was so easy to access in a book.
But now I’ve changed my mind! Why not memorize scriptures? There are so many moments when my scriptures are not with me. If I memorize them, I can “read” my scriptures to myself while I walk somewhere, or cook, or whatever. That’s why people memorize songs, isn’t it? So they can sing them for fun when they don’t have access to the recorded version. I can carry the words in my heart. Also, I saw on a blog that I read that the writer had memorized the entire book of Ephesians and could recite it in a storyteller-type fashion. COOL! I remember helping my dad memorize the Proclamation on the Family, and, even though I wasn’t actively memorizing it, some phrases stayed in my mind, and they have been invaluable help to me. Also, we learned in my class that one of the editions that the King James Bible is largely based on (William Tindale’s translation- I read somewhere that 9/10 of the words are the same in many passages) was specifically translated by Tindale into English in such a way that it would sound beautiful being read -or in my case, recited- aloud.
So I am going to do it! I have a huge list of what I want to memorize, starting with the Bible first. The first thing on the list is the verses in Proverbs 31 about the virtuous woman, because it’s one of my favorites and it’s not too long.
Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
These are the other favorite scriptures I have in mind:
Genesis chapters 1-3 (Creation and Fall)
Genesis chapter 24 (Rebekah)
Isaiah chapter 53 (many of the verses in Handel’s Messiah)
Book of Jonah
Luke chapter 2 (Nativity)
John chapter 1
Matthew chapters 5-7 (Sermon on the Mount)
various Psalms
0 Responses to “memorization”