3 My mouth H6310 shall speak H1696 of wisdom; H2454 and the meditation H1900 of my heart H3820 shall be of understanding. H8394
Hear, H8085 ye children, H1121 the instruction H4148 of a father, H1 and attend H7181 to know H3045 understanding. H998 For I give H5414 you good H2896 doctrine, H3948 forsake H5800 ye not my law. H8451
Hear; H8085 for I will speak H1696 of excellent things; H5057 and the opening H4669 of my lips H8193 shall be right things. H4339 For my mouth H2441 shall speak H1897 truth; H571 and wickedness H7562 is an abomination H8441 to my lips. H8193 All the words H561 of my mouth H6310 are in righteousness; H6664 there is nothing froward H6617 or perverse H6141 in them. They are all plain H5228 to him that understandeth, H995 and right H3477 to them that find H4672 knowledge. H1847 Receive H3947 my instruction, H4148 and not silver; H3701 and knowledge H1847 rather than choice H977 gold. H2742 For wisdom H2451 is better H2896 than rubies; H6443 and all the things that may be desired H2656 are not to be compared H7737 to it.
Have not I written H3789 to thee H8032 excellent things H7991 in counsels H4156 and knowledge, H1847 That I might make thee know H3045 the certainty H7189 of the words H561 of truth; H571 that thou mightest answer H7725 the words H561 of truth H571 to them that send H7971 unto thee?
And G2532 that G3754 from G575 a child G1025 thou hast known G1492 the holy G2413 scriptures, G1121 which G3588 are able G1410 to make G4679 thee G4571 wise G4679 unto G1519 salvation G4991 through G1223 faith G4102 which G3588 is in G1722 Christ G5547 Jesus. G2424 All G3956 scripture G1124 is given by inspiration of God, G2315 and G2532 is profitable G5624 for G4314 doctrine, G1319 for G4314 reproof, G1650 for G4314 correction, G1882 for G4314 instruction G3809 in G1722 righteousness: G1343 That G2443 the man G444 of God G2316 may be G5600 perfect, G739 throughly furnished G1822 unto G4314 all G3956 good G18 works. G2041
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 49
Commentary on Psalms 49 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 49
Ps 49:1-20. This Psalm instructs and consoles. It teaches that earthly advantages are not reliable for permanent happiness, and that, however prosperous worldly men may be for a time, their ultimate destiny is ruin, while the pious are safe in God's care.
1-3. All are called to hear what interests all.
world—literally, "duration of life," the present time.
4. incline—to hear attentively (Ps 17:6; 31:2).
parable—In Hebrew and Greek "parable" and "proverb" are translations of the same word. It denotes a comparison, or form of speech, which under one image includes many, and is expressive of a general truth capable of various illustrations. Hence it may be used for the illustration itself. For the former sense, "proverb" (that is, one word for several) is the usual English term, and for the latter, in which comparison is prominent, "parable" (that is, one thing laid by another). The distinction is not always observed, since here, and in Ps 78:2; "proverb" would better express the style of the composition (compare also Pr 26:7, 9; Hab 2:6; Joh 16:25, 29). Such forms of speech are often very figurative and also obscure (compare Mt 13:12-15). Hence the use of the parallel word—
dark saying—or, "riddle" (compare Eze 17:2).
open—is to explain.
upon the harp—the accompaniment for a lyric.
5. iniquity—or, "calamity" (Ps 40:12).
of my heels—literally "my supplanters" (Ge 27:36), or oppressors: "I am surrounded by the evils they inflict."
6. They are vainglorious.
7-9. yet unable to save themselves or others.
8. it ceaseth for ever—that is, the ransom fails, the price is too precious, costly.
9. corruption—literally, "pit," or, "grave," thus showing that "soul" is used for "life" [Ps 49:8].
10. For he seeth—that is, corruption; then follows the illustration.
wise … fool—(Ps 14:1; Pr 1:32; 10:1).
likewise—alike altogether—(Ps 4:8)—die—all meet the same fate.
11. Still infatuated and flattered with hopes of perpetuity, they call their lands, or "celebrate their names on account of (their) lands."
12. Contrasted with this vanity is their frailty. However honored, man
abideth not—literally, "lodgeth not," remains not till morning, but suddenly perishes as (wild) beasts, whose lives are taken without warning.
13. Though their way is folly, others follow the same course of life.
14. Like sheep—(compare Ps 49:12) unwittingly, they
are laid—or, "put," &c.
death shall feed on—or, better, "shall rule"
them—as a shepherd (compare "feed," Ps 28:9, Margin).
have dominion over—or, "subdue"
them in the morning—suddenly, or in their turn.
their beauty—literally, "form" or shape.
shall consume—literally, "is for the consumption," that is, of the grave.
from their dwelling—literally, "from their home (they go) to it," that is, the grave.
15. The pious, delivered from "the power of the grave."
power—literally, "the hand," of death, are taken under God's care.
16-19. applies this instruction. Be not anxious (Ps 37:1, &c.), since death cuts off the prosperous wicked whom you dread.
18. Though … lived, &c.—literally, "For in his life he blessed his soul," or, "himself" (Lu 12:19, 16:25); yet (Ps 49:19); he has had his portion.
men will praise … thyself—Flatterers enhance the rich fool's self-complacency; the form of address to him strengthens the emphasis of the sentiment.
20. (Compare Ps 49:12). The folly is more distinctly expressed by "understandeth not," substituted for "abideth not."