Psalms 78 · Verse 2

Psalms 78:2

I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old:
Psalms 78:2, King James Version

Psalms 78:2 in other translations

BSBI will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden from the beginning,
WEBI will open my mouth in a parable. I will utter dark sayings of old,
ASVI will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old,
YLTI open with a simile my mouth, I bring forth hidden things of old,
DARBYI will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter riddles from of old,
BBEOpening my mouth I will give out a story, even the dark sayings of old times;
WebsterI will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old:

What does Psalms 78:2 mean?

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 2 In a parable - Or, I will give you instruction by numerous examples; see Psa 49:1-4 (note), which bears a great similarity to this; and see the notes there. The term parable, in its various acceptations, has already been sufficiently explained; but משל mashal may here mean example, as opposed to תורה torah, law or precept, Psa 49:1.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Psalms 78:1-8

These are called dark and deep sayings, because they are carefully to be looked into. The law of God was given with a particular charge to teach it diligently to their children, that the church may abide for ever. Also, that the providences of God, both in mercy and in judgment, might encourage them to conform to the will of God. The works of God much strengthen our resolution to keep his commandments. Hypocrisy is…

Read the full comment on Psalms 78:1-8 →

Psalms 78:2 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.

אֶפְתְּחָ֣ה'ef.te.ChahI will openH6605
בְמָשָׁ֣לve.ma.Shalin a parableH4912
פִּ֑יPimouth myH6310
אַבִּ֥יעָה'a.Bi.'ahI will pour forthH5042
חִ֝יד֗וֹתchi.DotriddlesH2420
מִנִּי\־mi.ni-fromH4480
קֶֽדֶם\׃Ke.demantiquityH6924

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

Cross references for Psalms 78:2

  • Matthew 13:34-35

    All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them: 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.

  • Matthew 13:11-13

    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.

  • Mark 4:34

    But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.

  • Psalms 49:4

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

  • Proverbs 1:6

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

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
I will.
49:4; Mt 13:13,34,35
dark sayings.
Pr 1:6; Mt 13:11-13; Mr 4:34

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

Context

  • Psalms 78:1

    Maschil of Asaph. Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth.

  • Psalms 78:2

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

  • Psalms 78:3

    Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us.

Read all of Psalms 78

Psalms 78:2 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Abriré mi boca en parábola; hablaré cosas reservadas de antiguo:
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		J’ouvrirai ma bouche en paraboles, j’annoncerai les énigmes des jours d’autrefois,
German
Elberfelder 1871		Ich will meinen Mund auftun zu einem Spruche, will Rätsel hervorströmen lassen aus der Vorzeit.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Posuerunt morticina servorum tuorum escas volatilibus cæli; carnes sanctorum tuorum bestiis terræ.