Psalm 49:3-4

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 49:1-5

This is the psalmist's preface to his discourse concerning the vanity of the world and its insufficiency to make us happy; and we seldom meet with an introduction more solemn than this is; for there is no truth of more undoubted certainty, nor of greater weight and importance, and the consideration of which will be of more advantage to us. I. He demands the attention of others to that which he was about to say (Ps. 49:1, 2): Hear this, all you people; hear it and heed it, hear it and consider... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 49:3

My mouth shall speak of wisdom ,.... Or "wisdoms" F13 חכמות "sapientias", Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus, Cocceius, Gejerus, Michaelis. ; of Christ, who is so called, Proverbs 1:20 . He being as a divine Person the wisdom of God, and the only wise God; and having all the treasures of wisdom in him, as man and Mediator: of him the prophet spake, and of him the apostles and all Gospel ministers speak; of the glories of his Person, of the fulness of his grace, and of his wonderful... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 49:4

I will incline mine ear to a parable ,.... In which way of speaking the doctrines of the Gospel were delivered out by Christ, Matthew 13:3 . Wherefore the prophet, representing his apostles and disciples, signifies that he would listen thereunto, that he might attain to the knowledge thereof, and communicate it to others; I will open my dark saying upon the harp ; the enigmas, riddles, and mysteries of the Gospel, being understood by the ministers of it, are opened and explained in a... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 49:4

I will incline mine ear to a parable - This was the general method of conveying instruction among the Asiatics. They used much figure and metaphor to induce the reader to study deeply in order to find out the meaning. This had its use; it obliged men to think and reflect deeply; and thus in some measure taught them the use, government, and management of their minds. My dark saying upon the harp - Music was sometimes used to soothe the animal spirits, and thus prepare the mind for the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 49:3

Verse 3 3.My mouth shall speak of wisdom The prophet was warranted in applying these commendatory terms to the doctrine which he was about to communicate. It is, no doubt, by plain appeals to observation that we find him reproving human folly; but the general principle upon which his instruction proceeds is one by no means obvious to the common sense of mankind, not to say that his design in using such terms is less to assert the dignity of his subject than simply to awaken attention. This he... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 49:4

Verse 4 4.I will incline my ear (214) to a parable The Hebrew word משל , mashal, (215) which I have translated parable, properly denotes a similitude; but it is often applied to any deep or weighty sayings, because these are generally embellished with figures and metaphors. The noun which follows, חידת, chidoth (216) and which I have rendered an enigma, or riddle, is to be understood in nearly the same sense. In Ezekiel 17:2, we have both the nouns with their corresponding verbs joined... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 49:1-20

Metrically, the composition divides itself into three portions: read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 49:1-20

A dark saying: wealth in bad hands. The author and the date of this psalm are alike unknown. There are, however, matters concerning it of much more importance, which we do know. One of these is that the writer was a believer in God; and that while the dark problems of life perplexed him, as they do and have done so many others, he saw light above and beyond them. Another is that in this psalm we have the words of one who had "inclined his ear" to hear what the great Speaker would say unto... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 49:1-20

A contrast: unseen wealth. To those whose character and outlook are depicted in the bulk of this psalm its writer did not belong. He looks on them; he writes of them; but he is not one with them. The emphatic and striking word "but" ( Psalms 49:15 ) indicates what the context shows, that there is a great gulf between him and them. While the wicked ones who are rolling in wealth despise him because of his distance from them on the ground of earthly poverty, he, on the other hand, looks... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 49:1-20

Be not afraid. I. THE PREACHER , ( Psalms 49:3 , Psalms 49:4 .) He is marked by thoughtfulness. He lends his ear in many a secret place to learn wisdom. His inspiration is from above, and he does not speak of himself, but as moved by Divine impulses. What he has gathered by long meditation and experience he gives forth freely for the good of others. His ambition is to make the dark clear, to discern between good and evil, to strip falsehood of its disguises, and to set forth the... read more

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