Psalms Chapter 49 verse 4 Holy Bible

ASV Psalms 49:4

I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp.
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BBE Psalms 49:4

I will put my teaching into a story; I will make my dark sayings clear with music.
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DARBY Psalms 49:4

I will incline mine ear to a parable, I will open my riddle upon the harp.
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KJV Psalms 49:4

I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp.
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WBT Psalms 49:4

My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.
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WEB Psalms 49:4

I will incline my ear to a proverb. I will open my riddle on the harp.
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YLT Psalms 49:4

I incline to a simile mine ear, I open with a harp my riddle:
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Pulpit Commentary

Pulpit CommentaryVerse 4. - I will incline mine ear to a parable. The psalmist is "like a minstrel who has to play a piece of music put into his hands. The strain is none of his own devising; and as he proceeds, each note awakes in him a mysterious echo, which he would fain catch and retain in memory" (Kay). A "parable" in the Old Testament means any enigmatical or dark saying, into which much metaphor or imagery is introduced, so that it is only φωνᾶν συνετοῖσι. I will open my dark saying upon the harp; i.e. with a harp accompaniment. Music was a help to inspired persons in the delivery of messages which they were commissioned to deliver (see 1 Samuel 10:5; 2 Kings 3:15).

Ellicott's Commentary

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(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 dearTo 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. m?shal, 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.'" . . .