“Truly, truly, I say to you…”
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts…”
“Restore us, O God… Restore us… Restore us…”
When God says something once, we listen. But when He says it again—twice or even three times—we lean in. Repetition in Scripture is never filler. It is emphasis. It is warning. It is worship. It is the voice of God echoing so that we do not forget.
Why Does the Bible Repeat Words and Phrases?
In Hebrew and Greek, repetition was used as a literary device to convey intensity or priority. In the absence of bold, italics, or exclamation points, the repetition of a word or phrase was how the biblical writers said, “Pay close attention to this.” It was God’s highlighter.
When Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you…” it wasn’t because He stuttered—it was to solemnize the truth. When Isaiah heard the angels declare, “Holy, holy, holy…”, it wasn’t overkill—it was the greatest statement of divine perfection in all the Bible.
Theology Woven in Repetition
From Genesis to Revelation, repetition shouts. Sometimes it’s praise that can’t be contained. Sometimes it’s a prayer that refuses to let go. Other times it’s a warning—spoken three times because the first time didn’t wake us up.
This series, titled “Biblical Repetition: Say It Again”, will explore eight distinct themes from Scripture where repetition isn’t random—it’s revelatory:
- Repetitious Praise – Psalm 96:1–2 – Worship that bursts beyond a single song.
- Repetitious Prayer – Psalm 80:3, 7, 19 – Persistent intercession that knocks on Heaven’s door.
- Repetitious Presumption – Jeremiah 7:4 – Empty rituals mistaken for righteousness.
- Repetitious Prophecy – Ezekiel 21:27 – A triple-declared ruin that shakes us awake.
- Repetitious Plea – Jeremiah 22:29 – God’s urgent cry for attention and repentance.
- Repetitious Psalm – Psalm 136 – The mercy refrain that writes covenant theology into our hearts.
- Repetitious Perfection – Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8 – God’s holiness lifted to the third degree.
- Repetitious Power – Psalm 118:10–12 – Victory declared again and again in the name of the Lord.
Why It Matters Today
In a culture filled with noise, we tend to tune out what we’ve heard before. But God’s Word repeats truth not to bore us—but to brand it into our souls. When God repeats Himself, it’s not because He forgot what He said the first time—it’s because we did.
This series will take you deeper into the context and significance of each of these repeated phrases, unpacking the surrounding passages, exploring the theological truths they contain, and making personal and practical applications for today.
Are You Listening?
When God says it again, it’s because He wants it to go deeper. So let’s lean in and listen together. As we explore each of these repetitions, may your heart echo back with obedience, wonder, and praise.
Next: Repetitious Praise – When Worship Won’t Quit