Psalms 49:4
Psalms 49:4 in Multiple Translations
I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will express my riddle with the harp:
I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp.
I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp.
I will put my teaching into a story; I will make my dark sayings clear with music.
I pay attention to wise sayings; I answer hard questions to a tune on the harp.
I will incline mine eare to a parable, and vtter my graue matter vpon the harpe.
I incline to a simile mine ear, I open with a harp my riddle:
I will incline my ear to a proverb. I will solve my riddle on the harp.
I will incline my ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp.
He shall call heaven from above, and the earth, to judge his people.
I think about [MTY] ◄proverbs/wise sayings►, and while I play my harp, I explain what they mean.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 49:4
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 49:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
פִּ֭/י
יְדַבֵּ֣ר
חָכְמ֑וֹת
וְ/הָג֖וּת
לִבִּ֣/י
תְבוּנֽוֹת
פִּ֭/י
peh
H6310
lip
N-ms | Suff
יְדַבֵּ֣ר
dâbar
H1696
to speak
V-Piel-Imperf-3ms
חָכְמ֑וֹת
chokmôwth
H2454
wisdom
N-fp
וְ/הָג֖וּת
hâgûwth
H1900
meditation
Conj | N-fs
לִבִּ֣/י
lêb
H3820
heart
N-ms | Suff
תְבוּנֽוֹת
tâbûwn
H8394
understanding
N-fp
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 49:4
פִּ֭/י
peh
H6310
"lip"
N-ms | Suff
In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to the mouth, lips, or edge of something, and can also mean a portion or side of something. It is often used to describe speech or the act of speaking. This word appears in various forms, such as mouth, lip, or edge.
Definition: : lip/mouth peh 1) mouth 1a) mouth (of man) 1b) mouth (as organ of speech) 1c) mouth (of animals) 1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc) 1e) extremity, end pim 2) a weight equal to one third of a shekel, occurs only in 1Sa 13:21
Usage: Occurs in 460 OT verses. KJV: accord(-ing as, -ing to), after, appointment, assent, collar, command(-ment), [idiom] eat, edge, end, entry, [phrase] file, hole, [idiom] in, mind, mouth, part, portion, [idiom] (should) say(-ing), sentence, skirt, sound, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, tenor, [idiom] to, [phrase] two-edged, wish, word. See also: Genesis 4:11; Deuteronomy 21:17; Ezra 9:11.
יְדַבֵּ֣ר
dâbar
H1696
"to speak"
V-Piel-Imperf-3ms
To speak or communicate, like God speaking to Moses in Exodus or a king commanding his people. It can also mean to promise or warn someone.
Definition: : speak/tell/command 1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing 1a) (Qal) to speak 1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to speak 1c2) to promise 1d) (Pual) to be spoken 1e) (Hithpael) to speak 1f) (Hiphil) to lead away, put to flight
Usage: Occurs in 1049 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work. See also: Genesis 8:15; Exodus 12:25; Leviticus 23:9.
חָכְמ֑וֹת
chokmôwth
H2454
"wisdom"
N-fp
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means wisdom, like the kind Solomon asked for in 1 Kings 3:5-14. It refers to good judgment and insight, often from God. This concept is key in Proverbs.
Definition: wisdom Another spelling of chokh.mah (חׇכְמָה "wisdom" H2451)
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: wisdom, every wise (woman). See also: Psalms 49:4; Proverbs 9:1; Proverbs 1:20.
וְ/הָג֖וּת
hâgûwth
H1900
"meditation"
Conj | N-fs
Meditation means thinking deeply about something, like when David wrote his psalms. It involves reflection and contemplation, often about God's word. In the Bible, meditation is a way to connect with God.
Definition: meditation, utterance, musing
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: meditation. See also: Psalms 49:4.
לִבִּ֣/י
lêb
H3820
"heart"
N-ms | Suff
Leb refers to the heart, but also represents feelings, will, and intellect in the Bible. It is used figuratively to describe the center of something, and is often translated as heart or mind. Leb is a complex concept that encompasses emotions and thoughts.
Definition: 1) inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding 1a) inner part, midst 1a1) midst (of things) 1a2) heart (of man) 1a3) soul, heart (of man) 1a4) mind, knowledge, thinking, reflection, memory 1a5) inclination, resolution, determination (of will) 1a6) conscience 1a7) heart (of moral character) 1a8) as seat of appetites 1a9) as seat of emotions and passions 1a10) as seat of courage
Usage: Occurs in 552 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] care for, comfortably, consent, [idiom] considered, courag(-eous), friend(-ly), ((broken-), (hard-), (merry-), (stiff-), (stout-), double) heart(-ed), [idiom] heed, [idiom] I, kindly, midst, mind(-ed), [idiom] regard(-ed), [idiom] themselves, [idiom] unawares, understanding, [idiom] well, willingly, wisdom. See also: Genesis 6:5; 2 Samuel 13:33; Psalms 4:8.
תְבוּנֽוֹת
tâbûwn
H8394
"understanding"
N-fp
Tabún means understanding or intelligence, implying skill or insight. It is translated as discretion, reason, or wisdom in the KJV Bible, referring to the act or faculty of understanding.
Definition: 1) understanding, intelligence 1a) the act of understanding 1a1) skill 1b) the faculty of understanding 1b1) intelligence, understanding, insight 1c) the object of knowledge 1d) teacher (personification)
Usage: Occurs in 42 OT verses. KJV: discretion, reason, skilfulness, understanding, wisdom. See also: Exodus 31:3; Proverbs 8:1; Psalms 49:4.
Study Notes — Psalms 49:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 49:4 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 49:4
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 49:4
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 49:4
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 49:4
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 49:4
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 49:4
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 49:4
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 49:4
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 49:4
- Sermons on Psalms 49:4
Context — The Evanescence of Wealth
2both low and high, rich and poor alike.
3My mouth will impart wisdom, and the meditation of my heart will bring understanding.
4I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will express my riddle with the harp:
5Why should I fear in times of trouble, when wicked usurpers surround me? 6They trust in their wealth and boast in their great riches.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 78:2 | I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden from the beginning, |
| 2 | Matthew 13:35 | So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: “I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden since the foundation of the world.” |
| 3 | Numbers 12:8 | I speak with him face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the LORD. Why then were you unafraid to speak against My servant Moses?” |
| 4 | Numbers 23:7 | And Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying: “Balak brought me from Aram, the king of Moab from the mountains of the east. ‘Come,’ he said, ‘put a curse on Jacob for me; come and denounce Israel!’ |
| 5 | Luke 12:3 | What you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the housetops. |
| 6 | 2 Corinthians 3:12 | Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. |
| 7 | Matthew 13:11–15 | He replied, “The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. This is why I speak to them in parables: ‘Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.’ In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’ |
| 8 | Ezekiel 20:49 | Then I said, “Ah, Lord GOD, they are saying of me, ‘Is he not just telling parables?’” |
| 9 | Proverbs 1:6 | by understanding the proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise. |
| 10 | Daniel 8:23 | In the latter part of their reign, when the rebellion has reached its full measure, an insolent king, skilled in intrigue, will come to the throne. |
Psalms 49:4 Summary
In Psalms 49:4, the speaker is saying that they want to carefully listen to and consider wise sayings, and then express their own thoughts and wisdom in a beautiful and skillful way, using the harp as a symbol of their creative expression. This means that we should also be seeking to listen to and apply the wisdom of God's Word in our lives, as seen in Proverbs 1:1-7, and trust in His goodness and provision rather than in wealth or riches, as encouraged in Psalms 52:7. By doing so, we can gain a deeper understanding of God's ways and trust in His sovereignty, even in difficult times, as seen in Psalms 37:3-7.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'incline my ear to a proverb' in Psalms 49:4?
This phrase means to carefully listen to and consider wise sayings or teachings, as seen in Proverbs 1:1-7, where Solomon emphasizes the importance of listening to wisdom.
How does the use of the harp in Psalms 49:4 relate to expressing a riddle?
The harp was a common instrument used in worship and storytelling in ancient Israel, as seen in 1 Samuel 16:23, and its use here may symbolize the beautiful and skillful way the speaker will express their riddle or wisdom.
What kind of riddle is the speaker referring to in Psalms 49:4?
The riddle or wisdom the speaker is referring to may be related to the mystery of how the wicked prosper, as seen in Psalms 49:5, and the importance of trusting in God rather than wealth or riches, as emphasized in Psalms 52:7.
How can we apply the idea of 'inclinining our ear to a proverb' in our daily lives?
We can apply this idea by being attentive to the wisdom and teachings of Scripture, such as in Proverbs 22:17-21, and seeking to understand and apply its principles in our lives, as encouraged in James 1:5-8.
Reflection Questions
- What are some 'proverbs' or wise sayings that I have been neglecting to listen to, and how can I make time to consider them in my life?
- How can I use my talents or skills, like the harp, to express the wisdom and riddles of God's Word to others?
- What are some 'riddles' or mysteries in my life that I need to trust God to help me understand, and how can I seek His wisdom in those areas?
- In what ways can I prioritize listening to and applying the wisdom of Scripture in my daily life, and what benefits can I expect to see as a result?
Gill's Exposition on 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.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 49:4
I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp. I will incline mine ear to a parable - or 'similitude' [ maashaal (H4912)]: a sententiously expressed truth.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 49:4
I will incline mine ear: this is another argument to persuade them to hearken to him: I will hearken what God by his Spirit speaks to me, and that and nothing else will I now speak to you; and therefore it is well worth your hearing. I also shall join with you in attending to it, that whilst I teach you, I myself may learn the same lesson. For as ministers now teach themselves whilst they teach others, so the holy prophets did ofttimes search into and study to find out the meaning of their own prophecies, as appears plainly from ,11. The phrase is thought to be taken from the musicians, who lay their ear close to the instrument when they tune it, and by their ear try how the voice and instrument agree. To a parable; which properly is a figurative and allegorical speech, but is oft more largely taken for any excellent, and important, and withal dark or difficult, doctrine or sentence: see 24:3,15 Psalms 78:2, compared with . I will open, i.e. I will not smother it in my own breast, but publish it to the world. My dark saying; so he justly calls the following discourse, because the thing in question is and ever hath been thought difficult and hard to be understood.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 49:4
Psalms 49:4 I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp.Ver. 4. I will incline mine ear to a parable] q.d. I desire you to do no more than I will do myself. I believed, therefore have I spoken; I have wrought my doctrine upon mine own affections first, and shall dig it out of mine own bosom for your benefit. It is a parable I must tell you, or a master sentence, yea, it is a mystery, a riddle, as the other word here signifieth. I will open my dark sayings] The doctrine of life eternal, and the judgment to come, here more clearly delivered than anywhere else almost in the Old Testament, is a mystery.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 49:4
(4) I will incline mine ear.—The psalmist first listens, that he may himself catch the inspiration which is to reach others through his song. It was an obvious metaphor in a nation to whom God’s voice was audible, as it was to Wordsworth, for whom nature had an audible voice: “The stars of midnight shall be dear To her; and she shall lend her earIn many a secret place, Where rivulets dance their wayward round, And beauty, born of murmuring sound, Shall pass into her face.” Parable.—Heb. mâshal, root idea, similitude. It is the term used of Balaam’s prophecies, and of the eloquent speeches of Job. Hence here proverb-song (Ewald), since the psalmist intends his composition for musical accompaniment. Dark saying.—Either from a root meaning to tie, and so “a knotty point;” or to sharpen, and so a sharp, incisive saying. The LXX. and Vulgate have “problem,” “proposition.” To open the riddle is not to solve it, but to propound it, as we say to “open a discourse.” (Comp. St. Paul’s phrase, “opening and alleging.”) The full phrase is probably found in Proverbs 31:26, “She openeth her mouth with wisdom.’”
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 49:4
Verse 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 prophetic influx.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 49:4
4. The poet receives by revelation what he desires to teach. He will bend his ear to listen to the voice of God before he ventures himself to speak to men. Mâshâl, rendered parable, means (1) primarily a comparison, (2) a proverb, as frequently involving a comparison, (3) a parable, as the extension of a proverb, (4) a poem, either contemptuous (Isaiah 14:4) or didactic, as here. Chîdâh, denotes (1) an enigma or riddle (Judges 14:12 f.; 1 Kings 10:1), (2) a parable or simile (Ezekiel 17:2), (3) any profound or obscure utterance, a problem, dark saying. Both words occur together in Psalms 78:2; Proverbs 1:6; Ezekiel 17:2. The prosperity of the godless was one of the great ‘enigmas of life’ to the pious Israelite, demanding a solution which could only be partially given before the fuller revelation of Christ “brought life and immortality to light.” What he has learned on this perplexing question he will open upon the harp, set it forth in a poem accompanied by music.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 49:4
I will incline mine ear to a parable - The phrase “I will incline mine ear” means that he would listen or attend to - as we incline our ear toward those whom we are anxious to hear, or in the
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 49:4
4. A parable—A poem where similitude is used, and things profound and spiritual are made more clear by comparison with things objective and sensible.
Sermons on Psalms 49:4
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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The Christian in Complete Armour - Part 6 by William Gurnall | William Gurnall preaches about the necessity of preparing and arming oneself for the inevitable evil day of affliction and death. He emphasizes that this evil day is grievous to th |
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Youth Ministry by Voddie Baucham | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the purpose and plan of the College and Careers ministry. Their purpose is to see unbelieving students become committed followers of Jesus Chr |
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In Defense of Evan Roberts and the Welsh Revival by J. Edwin Orr | In this sermon, the speaker begins by expressing his intention to share a story and reveal hidden truths. He emphasizes the importance of passing down the knowledge of God's glorio |
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New Beginnings - Gideon's Army I by George Warnock | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the book of Judges and how God allowed areas of resistance to remain in the land so that the younger generation could learn war. The preacher |
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Manifest Presence of God - Part 4 by Walter Beuttler | Walter Beuttler preaches on the importance of seeking to know God personally, just like Moses did in the Bible. He emphasizes that the distinguishing mark of God's people should be |
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God at War With Flesh by Major Ian Thomas | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the battle between Joshua and Amalek. The preacher emphasizes that the outcome of the battle was not dependent on Joshua's abilities, but ra |
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Heaven's View of Our Failures by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the story of Balaam and the Israelites in the book of Numbers. Balaam, a prophet, sees a vision from God and falls down in awe. He describes |