New Living Translation
Psalms 78:2
2for I will speak to you in a parable. I will teach you hidden lessons from our past—
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
1O my people, listen to my instructions. Open your ears to what I am saying, for I will speak to you in a parable. I will teach you hidden lessons from our past— 3stories we have heard and known, stories our ancestors handed down to us. 4We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about his power and his mighty wonders.
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 listen carefully to many proverbs and solve riddles with inspiration from a harp.
- Matthew 13:13That is why I use these parables, For they look, but they don’t really see. They hear, but they don’t really listen or understand.
- Proverbs 1:6by exploring the meaning in these proverbs and parables, the words of the wise and their riddles.
- Matthew 13:11He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not.
- Mark 4:34In fact, in his public ministry he never taught without using parables; but afterward, 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
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