Psalm 119:11 (KJV): meaning and how to memorise it

What Psalm 119:11 says

The psalmist hides God’s word in his heart so that he does not sin. This is the classic verse on memorising Scripture.

Psalm 119:11 in context

⁸I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly. ⁹ב BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. ¹⁰With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. ¹¹Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. ¹²Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes. ¹³With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth. ¹⁴I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.

Psalm 119, verses 8–14. Read the whole chapter with John Brown’s notes in the Self-Interpreting Bible.

Psalm 119:11 in the catechisms

The Reformation catechisms and confessions cite Psalm 119:11 2 times as a proof text.

WSC 90
How is the Word to be read and heard, that it may become effectual to salvation?
WLC 160
What is required of those that hear the word preached?

How to memorise Psalm 119:11

Hearers breaks the verse into clauses and teaches each clause in four steps. Then it brings each clause back just before you forget it.

01
Read
Read the verse with the clauses marked. Listen to it read aloud.
02
Trace
Type the first letter of each word, with the words shown faintly.
03
Fade
Half of the words go. Type the text again, and fill the gaps from memory.
04
Recall
All the words go. Type it or say it aloud. Each clause gets its own grade and its own review date.