Psalms 49:4

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

I will incline {H5186}{H8686)} mine ear {H241} to a parable {H4912}: I will open {H6605}{H8799)} my dark saying {H2420} upon the harp {H3658}.

I will listen with care to [God's] parable, I will set my enigma to the music of the lyre.

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.

Commentary

Context

Psalm 49 is a wisdom Psalm, often attributed to the Sons of Korah, which thoughtfully addresses the universal human struggle with wealth, mortality, and the ultimate futility of trusting in earthly possessions. It contrasts the fleeting prosperity of the wicked with the enduring hope of the righteous. Verse 4 serves as the psalmist's solemn introduction, setting the stage for the profound and weighty truths that are about to be revealed. The speaker prepares to deliver a significant message, inviting the audience to listen attentively to a revelation of deep spiritual insight, particularly concerning the inability of wealth to redeem a soul from death.

Key Themes

  • Receptivity to Wisdom: The phrase "I will incline mine ear to a parable" signifies a humble and attentive posture. It emphasizes the importance of listening carefully and reflectively to profound, often divinely inspired, wisdom. This readiness to learn is foundational to understanding spiritual truths, much like the call to incline your ear to wisdom in Proverbs 2:2.
  • Revelation of Profound Truth: "I will open my dark saying" indicates that the psalmist is not only receiving wisdom but also acting as a conduit to reveal deep, perhaps initially obscure, truths. The "dark saying" refers to a riddle or an enigmatic utterance that requires contemplation, hinting at the complex mystery of life, death, and redemption that the Psalm will unpack.
  • Artistic Declaration: The mention of the "harp" highlights that this revelation is intended to be communicated in a public, artistic, and memorable manner. It suggests that spiritual truths can be powerfully conveyed through music and poetry, making them accessible and impactful, much like the use of psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs in Ephesians 5:19.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "parable" is mashal (מָשָׁל), which is a broad term encompassing proverbs, allegories, weighty sayings, or didactic poems. It suggests a profound truth presented in an insightful or illustrative way, often requiring deeper thought than a simple statement. The phrase "dark saying" comes from the Hebrew word chidah (Χ—Φ΄Χ™Χ“ΦΈΧ”), meaning a riddle, an enigma, or a perplexing question. This term is used elsewhere in wisdom literature, such as Proverbs 1:6, and underscores the profound, perhaps initially mysterious, nature of the message the psalmist is about to deliver concerning human mortality and divine judgment.

Practical Application

Psalm 49:4 offers timeless lessons for believers today. Firstly, it calls us to cultivate a posture of humility and attentiveness, eager to receive and meditate on God's wisdom, especially when it challenges our worldly perspectives. In a world filled with distractions, the invitation to "incline mine ear" encourages deep reflection on eternal truths over fleeting earthly pursuits. Secondly, it reminds us of our responsibility to share the profound spiritual insights we gain. Just as the psalmist used the harp to "open my dark saying," we are called to communicate God's truth using our unique gifts and platforms, whether through words, art, or music, making His everlasting wisdom accessible and impactful to others. This verse encourages us to be both diligent students of divine wisdom and faithful communicators of it.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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Cross-References

  • Psalms 78:2

    I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old:

  • Matthew 13:35

    That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.

  • Numbers 12:8

    With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?

  • Proverbs 1:6

    To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.

  • Numbers 23:7

    And he took up his parable, and said, Balak the king of Moab hath brought me from Aram, out of the mountains of the east, [saying], Come, curse me Jacob, and come, defy Israel.

  • Matthew 13:11

    He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

  • Matthew 13:15

    For this people's heart is waxed gross, and [their] ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with [their] eyes, and hear with [their] ears, and should understand with [their] heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
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