Tree of Life Version
Psalms 78:2
2I will open my mouth with a parable. I will utter perplexing sayings 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:
- 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
1A contemplative song of Asaph. Listen, my people, to my teaching. Turn your ears to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth with a parable. I will utter perplexing sayings from of old, 3which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. 4We will not hide them from their children, telling to the next generation the praises of Adonai and His strength 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 49:4My mouth speaks wisdom, My heart’s meditation is understanding.
- Matthew 13:13For this reason I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear nor do they understand.
- Proverbs 1:6to understand a proverb and a puzzle, the sayings of the wise and their riddles.
- Matthew 13:11And He replied to them, “To you has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.
- Mark 4:34But apart from a parable, He wasn’t speaking to them. Yet when they were alone, to His own disciples He would explain 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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