By Mark Deering III
Memorizing the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7) was one of the most challenging yet rewarding spiritual exercises I have ever undertaken. At first, it seemed like an impossible task: three full chapters and over 100 verses. However, through persistence, effective memorization techniques, and personal breakthroughs, I was able to commit it to memory. More importantly, this experience enriched my understanding of Jesus’ teachings as a whole, rather than as isolated verses. Here’s how I approached it, the benefits I gained, and the obstacles I overcame.
Understanding the sermon as a whole
Before embarking on this journey, I often encountered the Sermon on the Mount in fragmented pieces—individual verses and sections quoted in sermons or devotionals. Although these verses were meaningful, I didn’t fully grasp the interconnectedness of Jesus’ message. Memorizing the entire sermon allowed me to see how each section flows into the next, creating a cohesive vision of the kingdom of God.
For example, the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3–12) set the foundation, describing the heart posture of those who belong to God’s kingdom. From there, Jesus moves into practical applications—our relationship to the Law, how we treat others, how we pray, and where we place our trust. By memorizing the whole sermon, I gained a deeper appreciation for its unity. It wasn’t just a list of wise sayings; it was a structured, powerful call to live differently.
Here are five helpful memorization techniques I used:
Chunk the text
Rather than memorizing entire chapters, I divided the sermon into smaller sections, focusing on a few verses at a time. Once I mastered one section, I added the next, gradually building momentum. Most Bibles also divide the sermon into sections, which is very helpful.
Write and speak it out
Handwriting the passage helped engage my brain differently. I wrote a few verses at a time, reinforcing them visually and kinesthetically. I found that vocalizing the verses helped tremendously. Speaking the words aloud engaged my memory in a way that silent reading didn’t.
Create mental images
Associating verses with mental pictures or real-life situations made retention easier. For instance, when memorizing Jesus’ instructions about prayer, I had a mini-movie in my head of what he was talking about. As a bonus, physical gestures at key moments also help lock down the memorization.
Bring joy to the process
Not everyone has middle schoolers and a high schooler at home to help them memorize Scripture. However, realizing I needed help led me to something I hadn’t anticipated. While having my teenagers check my recitation, I immersed them in the text, and occasionally we’d have thoughtful discussions as they processed what they were reading and hearing. This kind of sharing brought joy to the process.
Embrace accountability
I realized that sharing my goal was the key to bringing it to life. Accountability might look different, but it’s always a positive influence! Inviting friends, family, or your Small Group into this journey can make a difference in reaching your goals together.
Overcoming personal barriers
Memorizing Scripture wasn’t only a mental challenge—it was an emotional and spiritual one as well. Doubt creeps in: “Can I really do this?” I faced discouragement more than I had anticipated during this process. But that’s the enemy at work. Soon, once God’s word is hidden in your heart, discouragement nearly vanishes as you revel in the joy of memorizing Scripture.
I also had to battle against busyness. If you truly knew me, you would find nearly every excuse for not “having time” for this. But as I pressed on, I noticed something beautiful happening. What I was memorizing began to shape my thoughts and attitudes. As I faced challenges in my daily life, the words of Jesus were already in my heart, guiding my responses.
The lasting impact
Committing the Sermon on the Mount to memory transformed me. It deepened my understanding of Jesus’ teachings, strengthened my ability to recall Scripture in conversations, and enriched my prayer life. More than that, it demonstrated the power of persistence and the transformative effect of God’s Word when it truly dwells within us.
I encourage you to take the leap if you’ve ever considered memorizing a large portion of Scripture. Start small, stay consistent, and trust that the journey will be as valuable as the destination.
How Hebrew Poetry Works
Rhyming Thoughts
While Western poetry often relies on metered rhyme (similar-sounding words), ancient Israelite poetry doesn’t follow a master system of meter or sound. Instead, its primary organizing principle is the parallelism of lines—essentially, biblical poets “rhyme” thoughts and ideas rather than sounds.
- The Heartbeat: Parallelism Parallelism is an “associative mode of thought” where two things are placed next to each other to show their relation. It assumes that to truly understand an idea, you need to grasp another idea that is both similar and distinct. There are three main types:
- Synonymous: The second line repeats the first using different words (e.g., “The heavens declare the glory of God; / the skies proclaim the work of his hands”).
- Antithetical: The second line contrasts the first, often using the word “but” (e.g., “The Lord watches over the way of the righteous, / but the way of the wicked leads to destruction”).
- Synthetic (Progressive): The lines build on each other to tell a developing story or narrative.
- The Color: Imagery & Metaphor Biblical poems are “terseness” personified—they use fewer words than normal speech to communicate rich, imaginative experiences. To understand them, we must understand the ancient Israelite worldview. Common metaphors include:
- The Shepherd: Signifying God’s care, provision, and leadership.
- The Rock/Fortress: Representing stability, safety, and refuge.
- Unsafe Landscapes: Using deserts, storms, or waves to signify fear or tests of faith.
The Architecture: Structural Glue
The psalmists didn’t just write individual lines; they used sophisticated “structural glue” to organize their prayers into larger units.
- Stanzas: Groups of lines that form a distinct “paragraph” or unit of thought.
- Refrains: A phrase repeated at intervals, like a musical chorus, grounding the reader in a recurring truth during shifts in mood.
- Inclusio (The Envelope): This is when a poem begins and ends with the same phrase. These “bookends” signal that everything in the middle should be interpreted through that specific frame.
- Chiasm (Symmetry): A pattern where themes are repeated in reverse order (A-B-C-B-A). In a Chiasm, the “C” (the center) is the “hinge”—it is the most important point the author wants to make.
Our Language of Faith
Themes to Look For
As we dive into the Psalms together, use your reading guide to look for these six specific themes. These aren’t just categories; they are the “language of faith” that helps us trust in Jesus, become like Jesus, and do as Jesus did.
- Praise & Hymns (The Language of Adoration) These are songs of “orientation”—they recognize the right order of the world with God at the center. This language is used to express direct worship for who God is, not just what He has done. When we pray these, we align our hearts with the truth of His character.
- Lament (The Language of Raw Honesty) About one-third of the Psalms are laments—cries of pain, protest, and confusion. This is the language of “disorientation.” These psalms give us permission to bring our grief and anger to God. They remind us that God welcomes our honesty, and bringing our pain to Him is actually a profound act of faith because it assumes He is listening and He is the only one who can help.
- Petition (The Language of Asking) Petition often goes hand-in-hand with lament. It is the specific cry for help, protection, or intervention. Whether asking God to “wake up” or to “be a shield,” this theme gives us the words to express our total dependence on Him when we are in distress or facing injustice.
- Thanksgiving (The Language of Rescue) This is the language of “new orientation.” These psalms are the “before and after” stories of the Bible. They are prayed after God has delivered or rescued the psalmist. They move beyond general praise to specific gratitude for a concrete act of God’s faithfulness in time and space.
- Wisdom (The Language of Reflection) Wisdom psalms (like Psalm 1 or 119) invite us to reflect on how to live life well. They often contrast “two ways” of living—the way of the righteous who meditate (hagah) on God’s Word and the way of those who ignore it. This language helps us navigate the complexities of life in light of God’s instructions.
- Royal (The Language of Hope) Royal psalms focus on the King or the promised “Anointed One.” While they originally spoke of the Davidic kings, they point us toward the ultimate King, Jesus. This is the language of waiting and hope, looking forward to the day when God’s Kingdom fully arrives on earth as it is in heaven.
Reflect & Apply:
The 150-Day Challenge
Our challenge to you is to read one Psalm a day over the next 150 days.
Choose Your Journey
- The 150-Day Challenge: Read one Psalm a day for a steady, transformative experience.
As you read, use these three questions from your bookmark to guide your meditation:
- How should this psalm make you feel? Notice the psalmist’s raw honesty. What emotion is it designed to help you express to God right now?
- Where is Jesus? Many psalms come from someone waiting on God. What is this psalm waiting for? Does Jesus answer that wait, or did He experience that same wait Himself?
- Can you use this psalm to talk to God right now? If so, pray it! If not, “hide it in your heart”—you may need it soon.
Happy meditating (hagah-ing)!
Dive Deeper
Recommended Resources
If you want to go even further in your study of biblical poetry and the Psalms, here are some excellent resources compiled from our class:
Watch & Learn
The BibleProject has created several incredible video series that bring these concepts to life. We highly recommend checking out:
How to Read the Bible series: Includes specific videos on Poetry, Poetic Metaphor, and The Book of Psalms.
Read & Explore