Psalms 49 · Verse 4

Psalms 49:4

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

Psalms 49:4 in other translations

BSBI will incline my ear to a proverb; I will express my riddle with the harp:
WEBI will incline my ear to a proverb. I will solve my riddle on the harp.
ASVI will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp.
YLTI incline to a simile mine ear, I open with a harp my riddle:
DARBYI will incline mine ear to a parable, I will open my riddle upon the harp.
BBEI will put my teaching into a story; I will make my dark sayings clear with music.
WebsterI will incline my ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp.

What does Psalms 49:4 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
4. incline--to hear attentively (Psa 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 Psa 78:2; "proverb" would better express the style of the composition (compare also Pr 26:7, 9; Ha 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.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
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.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Psalms 49:1-5

We seldom meet with a more solemn introduction: there is no truth of greater importance. Let all hear this with application to ourselves. The poor are in danger from undue desire toward the wealth of the world, as rich people from undue delight in it. The psalmist begins with applying it to himself, and that is the right method in which to treat of Divine things. Before he sets down the folly of carnal security, he…

Read the full comment on Psalms 49:1-5 →

Psalms 49:4 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

אַטֶּ֣ה'a.TehI will inclineH5186
לְמָשָׁ֣לle.ma.Shalto a proverbH4912
אָזְנִ֑י'a.ze.Niear myH241
אֶפְתַּ֥ח'ef.TachI will openH6605
בְּ֝כִנּ֗וֹרbe.khi.Norwith a harpH3658
חִידָתִֽי\׃chi.da.Tiriddle myH2420

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Psalms 49:4

  • 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?

  • 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.

  • 2 Corinthians 3:12

    Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:

  • Matthew 13:11-15

    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. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: …

  • Luke 12:3

    Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.

  • Proverbs 1:6

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

  • Ezekiel 20:49

    Then said I, Ah Lord God! they say of me, Doth he not speak parables?

  • Daniel 8:23

    And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
incline.
78:2; Mt 13:35
parable.
Nu 23:7; Eze 20:49; Mt 13:11-15
dark.
Pr 1:6; Da 8:23; Lu 12:3; 2Co 3:12

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Psalms 49:3

    My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.

  • Psalms 49:4

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

  • Psalms 49:5

    Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about?

Read all of Psalms 49

Psalms 49:4 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Acomodaré á ejemplos mi oído: declararé con el arpa mi enigma.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Ma bouche dira des paroles de sagesse, et la méditation de mon cœur sera pleine d’intelligence;
German
Elberfelder 1871		Neigen will ich zu einem Spruche mein Ohr, mein Rätsel eröffnen bei der Laute.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Advocabit cælum desursum, et terram, discernere populum suum.