God’s Word Translation
Psalms 78:2
2I will open my mouth to illustrate points. I will explain what has been hidden long ago,
Psalms 78:2 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old:
- New International Version (NIV)I will open my mouth with a parable; I will utter hidden things, things from of old—
- English Standard Version (ESV)I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old,
- New King James Version (NKJV)I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old,
Context of Psalms 78:2
1Open your ears to my teachings, my people. Turn your ears to the words from my mouth. I will open my mouth to illustrate points. I will explain what has been hidden long ago, 3things that we have heard and known about, things that our parents have told us. 4We will not hide them from our children. We will tell the next generation about the Lord’s power and great deeds and the miraculous things he has done.
Read all of Psalms 78Psalms 78:2 word by word
אֶפְתְּחָ֣ה בְמָשָׁ֣ל פִּ֑י אַבִּ֥יעָה חִ֝יד֗וֹת מִנִּי־קֶֽדֶם׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Psalms 78:2
- Psalms 49:4I will turn my attention to a proverb. I will explain my riddle with the ⌞music of⌟ a lyre.
- Matthew 13:13This is why I speak to them this way. They see, but they’re blind. They hear, but they don’t listen. They don’t even try to understand.
- Proverbs 1:6to understand a proverb and a clever saying, the words of wise people and their riddles.
- Matthew 13:11Jesus answered, “Knowledge about the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you. But it has not been given to the crowd.
- Mark 4:34He did not speak to them without using an illustration. But when he was alone with his disciples, he explained everything to them.
Commentaries on Psalms 78:2
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 2In a parable - Or, I will give you instruction by numerous examples; see Psalm 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, Psalm 49:1.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 2I will open my mouth in a parable - See the notes at Psalm 49:4. The word “parable” here means a statement by analogy or comparison; that is, he would bring out what he had to say by a course of reasoning founded on an analogy drawn from the ancient history of the people. I will utter dark sayings of old - Of ancient times; that is, maxims, or sententious thoughts, which had come down from past times, and which embodied the results of ancient observation…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 2The psalmist tells Israel’s story (Psalm 78:5–72) as a parable to teach wisdom and insight. Jesus quoted this verse to explain why he taught in parables (Matthew 13:35).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-721. my people ... my law--the language of a religious teacher (Psa 78:2; La 3:14; Ro 2:16, 27; compare Psa 49:4). The history which follows was a "dark saying," or riddle, if left unexplained, and its right apprehension required wisdom and attention.Read the comment
Topics related to Psalms 78:2
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Psalms 78
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- The Treasury of David
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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