The first step in memorizing is to meditate on the passage’s meaning. Understanding will increase as we reflect on God’s message to us and on our own human responses to life’s experiences as we exercise our faith in Him.

• 1. Oral Reading (Individual): Print the Keyword poster and post it in an obvious place that you will see every day, such as your bathroom mirror or the refrigerator. You may choose to reduce the size by half and put it in a frame to hang on the wall or set on your desk, changing out the posters as you progress in your memorization of the octrains. Read it aloud once a day at least. Think about the meaning of the passage, how each thought proceeds from the previous one.
• 2. Oral Reading (Group) — Choral Reading: One person reads the text, the others read key words as they come up. Switch roles. Alternatively, divide the group in half and have each group alternate reading the 8 verses: Group 1 reads v. 1, Group 2 reads v. 2, Group 1 reads v. 3, etc. Put the props down (printed page, Bible or apps) and challenge each group to recite their verse by memory. Give prizes for the group that had to refer to props the fewer number of times.
• 3. Rhythm Reading (Children’s Group): Reciting together as a group with a large classroom poster of the printed octrain, clap and step forward together for each verse or when reading key words. Then try reciting using a large copy of the FITB side. The Group Leader is silent during a “blank” and each group member steps foward when they can say the missing word. If they say it incorrectly, they must step back. When one student says it correctly, that student gets a point and the others say it and step forward as well. A prize can go to the student who has the most points at the end of the recitation.
• 4. Cover and Read (Children’s Group or Individual): Cut out colored paper rectangles to cover each key word on a classroom-sized printed poster (front side). Only move the paper if needed. This is like the FITB side but is more tactile than simply writing or reciting for a blank. Alternatively, have the keywords from the Word Bank written on the backs of the paper rectangles and let the children “scramble” to put the keywords in the correct blanks.
• 5. Color Coding: Each octrain is provided in three different text colors. Groups can focus on memorizing one “chunk” of an octrain at a time, or may divide up into three groups and memorize and recite, then switch “colors” and memorize different roles, then switch again. This can be done in one meeting or it may be divided up into three to four different meetings.
• 6. Team or “Memorization Challenge Buddy” Recitation: Same as Oral Reading, only in duos. Try both the Keywords FITB and the Reverse Keywords FITB posters. Select a fun perk or activity for when both parties can successfully recite the octrain individually and together.
• 7. Sing the Passage: Using any links available to a recorded song with the passage as lyrics, play the song in the background during the day and sing with it until it begins to “haunt” the memory. Teach the song to someone or a group! Create and upload an internet video of your performance with subtitles.
• 8. Recite to a “Spotter”: Give a friend the poster of the passage (or a Bible) and ask them to “spot” you as you rehearse the passage. The spotter can help if you forget, but the main point is that you are creating an opportunity to perform the recitation when you believe you are ready. When we perform, we have more at stake and the mind works a bit harder than when we memorize alone. The collateral benefit is that the “spotter” receives a blessing, and may want to know why you memorize and what the passage means!
• 9. Handwrite It: On your break at work, or during the day, stop and try to write out the passage as you are saying it aloud by memory. Check your work with the poster. Cross out the missed words and write the correct ones over the top of the incorrect words. This is most helpful when you are first learning the passage. You will need to refer to your “prop” often, but less and less as you continue to write, recite, and rehearse.
• 10. Employ the Arts: Make a calligraphic poster of your own to frame and hang on the wall for each octrain, if you enjoy calligraphy. Alternatively, illustrate the passage using symbols and represenations that will spark meaning and memory. You may choose to make a colorful art poster of only the first letter of each word of an octrain, then frame and hang on the wall. Guests will be curious and ask about the strange poster of letters, giving you an opportunity to recite from (mostly) memory!
• 11. Highlight “famous” verses within each octrain. Many verses in Psalm 119 are famous, such as “I will hide God’s Word in my heart that I might not sin against Thee” (v. 11). When you are learning an octrain, highlight the famous parts in yellow highlighter on your poster page.
• 12. Toss the Keyword (Children’s Group): Create a circle (sitting or standing) with all the class or group. Using a large bean bag (avoids rolling balls indoors) or a ball (if outside and physical activity is a side goal), have the group recite the passage, tossing the ball or bean bag to the next person for each word. No one person is responsible for remembering on their own. The point is not to put someone on the spot, but to learn as a group. Start with the poster displayed clearly so all can see and read. Then hide the poster and try remembering each colored section at a time, with no penalty if someone with the bean bag can’t remember. They will just pass the bean bag to another person. Begin with memorizing the words of a verse. Then the words of a colored section. Then the whole octrain.
• 13. Say-Along (Group or Individual): Use the audio recording on ReadPsalm119.com or on VerseLocker App, or create your own recording. Recite with the recording. This can be a five-minute exercise at the beginning of any group class session or morning call to worship or private devotional.
• 14. Teach the Passage (Group or Individual): Use the passage in a sermon, or class study, or written work (blog post, e-mail newsletter, essay, etc.). The teacher is always the one who learns the most!

What about you? Do you have any ideas for ways to memorize on your own, with a friend, or with a group? Leave a comment and you may see your tip included on this website with attribution to you as thanks for joining our community of learners!

© 2019, by ReadPsalm119.com. Rev. Oct 21, 2024.