Is Scripture Memorization Really Necessary?

"Unless Your law had been my delight, I would then have perished in my affliction." (Psalm 119:92)

As I have shared my passion for Scripture memorization with others over the years, the most common question I seem to be confronted with is whether or not memory work is really necessary or worthwhile. After all, the Word of God can be more easily accessed than ever before in today’s technological era, both in printed form and electronically. Although most people don’t actually verbalize their doubts about the necessity of memorization, you can usually tell when those doubts are in the back of someone’s mind by their apparent apprehension to commit to memorizing themselves. And who could blame them? Memory work is a mental exercise that requires both time and dedication, and wanting to make sure the rewards are worth the sacrifices is certainly understandable.

The law of Your mouth is better to me than thousands of coins of gold and silver. (Psalm 119:72)

I have come to believe that people will almost always find a way to memorize what they deem important enough, and David’s life was no exception to this rule. He was obviously a diligent memorizer of Scripture, and his motivation, as we see here, was a very real love for God’s Word. Scripture memory was more to him than just a way to pass time while hiding in a cave from his enemies; it was a vital part of his spiritual survival, as he valued the promises and commandments of God above “thousands of coins of gold and silver." Through his diligent study and memorization of the Word, his eyes were enlightened, obedience was made possible, and his joy was made full (Ps. 19:8; 119:34). This is why I believe Scripture memorization is in fact a very necessary part of the Christian life: it enables us to fulfill the call to holiness and fruitfulness that God has placed on each of our lives (Heb. 12:14; Jn. 15:8). The actual act of memorizing may not seem to be spiritual in itself, but just as “no chastening seems to be joyful for the present” (Hebrews 12:11), we can rest assured that our diligence will yield the “peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." What about you? How has Scripture memorization proven to be a necessary part of your own life? If you began memorizing some time after becoming a believer, what are some differences you’ve noticed in your life since starting?