New International Version
Psalms 78:2
2I will open my mouth with a parable; I will utter hidden things, things from of old—
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:
- 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,
- New Living Translation (NLT)for I will speak to you in a parable. I will teach you hidden lessons from our past—
Context of Psalms 78:2
1My people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth with a parable; I will utter hidden things, things from of old— 3things we have heard and known, things our ancestors have told us. 4We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders 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 ear to a proverb; with the harp I will expound my riddle:
- Matthew 13:13This is why I speak to them in parables: “Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.
- Proverbs 1:6for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.
- Matthew 13:11He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.
- Mark 4:34He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.
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
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