The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 49:4

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

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).

More for Psalms 49:4

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

commentaryMatthew Henry on Psalms 49:1-5We 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…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 49:1-20The issues of life. Connected with Psalms 16:1-11; Psalms 17:1-15; the writer stands face to face with the great problem of the time—the prosperity of the wicked. The two chief causes which forced the conviction of a he…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 49:1-20EXPOSITION THIS is a didactic poem, and resembles in some respects Psalms 37:1-40, and Psalms 73:1-28. It deals with the same problem—the contrast between the lot of the righteous man, whom the wicked persecute continua…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 49:1-20A dark saying: wealth in bad hands. The author and the date of this psalm are alike unknown. There are, however, matters concerning it of much more importance, which we do know. One of these is that the writer was a bel…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 49:1-20A contrast: unseen wealth. To those whose character and outlook are depicted in the bulk of this psalm its writer did not belong. He looks on them; he writes of them; but he is not one with them. The emphatic and striki…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 49:1-20Be not afraid. I. THE PREACHER, (Psalms 49:3, Psalms 49:4.) He is marked by thoughtfulness. He lends his ear in many a secret place to learn wisdom. His inspiration is from above, and he does not speak of himself, but a…Joseph S. Exell and contributors