Individual prayer naturally contains characteristics of the individual.

You have an intellectual side, an emotional side, a physical side, and a spiritual side. At any given time, each element is present, but one or some combination of elements will be preeminent. Each element requires ongoing nourishment, and one must have available resources that will cater to a specific element.

Reading Scripture, one is particularly struck by certain passages that seem particularly suited to one’s temperament. “I should remember that,” one thinks, and commits it to memory. WIthin my lifetime, a common mnemonic device was to write down the significant passage and memorize it. Of course, writing something down is a uniquely effective way of beginning the memorization process, so while we have other ways of recording samples of Scripture in portable ways, writing it down has no equal. Although quickly photographing the text and memorizing the passage off that can be the only practical way of accomplishing that. Who has the paper, and the pen, and the time for a lot of scribbling? Once memorized, one has unlimited access to the favorite Scripture in a way that promotes the good health of the brain.

How does one memorize the text? My approach was to search for a simple process that would be successful and could be applied to mnemonics in general. Repetition is the key. To memorize that, think, “Repetition is the key.” Repeat that phrase ten times to yourself, enunciating each word. Then, without looking at the text, repeat it. Repeat it until you have complete confidence that you are repeating the exact text. Then repeat the process with the next sentence. When that is memorized, repeat the two sentences together. Continue with the third sentence. As one continues, one makes the necessary adjustments, depending on how well or not so well one is able to memorize. If it’s the first Psalm you’ve memorized, after you’ve memorized it, repeat it every hour for a week. The next week, repeat it less frequently, then less frequently, until you’re reciting it once a day as part of your daily prayer.  

The intellectual mind now has this resource, available as well, naturally, to each element of the individual. One has this individual experience represented in this Psalm as an opportunity to appreciate that we can learn from the experiences of others, to share their observations and insights, to repeat their words as a means of enrichment and a gesture of solidarity with the writer and with God in their dialogue.