Psalm 49:4 - Printer Friendly

ESV: I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will solve my riddle to the music of the lyre.

NIV: I will turn my ear to a proverb; with the harp I will expound my riddle:

NASB: I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will express my riddle on the harp.

CSB: I turn my ear to a proverb; I explain my riddle with a lyre.

NLT: I listen carefully to many proverbs and solve riddles with inspiration from a harp.

KJV: I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp.

NKJV: I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will disclose my dark saying on the harp.

When this psalm opened, the writer called on all people to hear his valuable words (Psalm 49:1–3). The psalmist now explains that he will pay close attention to what he shares. His message would inspire him before it would inspire others. The method of explaining this wisdom would be in song: to set his teaching to the music of an instrument.

This message is referred to as a "riddle." In Hebrew, the term is hidāt, from a root word implying something obscure or hard to understand. This is the same word used in Proverbs 1:6 when speaking of ideas requiring godly wisdom to grasp. In this case, the issue is the apparent success which some evil people have in the world (Psalm 73:2–3). Believers in almost every generation have wrestled with this frustrating experience. Though we know God's grace is enough for any situation (2 Corinthians 12:9), it is especially hard to see ungodly people "succeed" in the world while righteous people suffer.

Over the rest of this psalm, the riddle is given an answer: this life is not all there is. Those who reject God in this life may find some success for now. But before long, they will be judged by God in eternity. When that happens, earthly success will disappear and all that will matter is one's standing with the Lord (Psalm 49:16–20; Proverbs 11:4).

Psalm 49:1–4 introduces the topic of the rest of the song. What the psalmist is about to say is crucial for everyone. It is a wise message that discusses a difficult topic—a "riddle"—which many people struggle to understand. The rest of the psalm discusses the frustration of seeing evil people prosper in the world, while there are good people who suffer.

The "riddle" in question is the fact that some rich persons are also wicked and ungodly. Rich and poor, alike, should remember that money is temporary. It is not a substitute for God's approval. All people face death and God's judgment. There is no reason to envy a person who has earthly wealth but lacks eternal hope.

As did Psalm 73, this passage tackles the riddle of how to respond to prosperity among those who reject God. Just as did Asaph (Psalm 73:15–19), the psalmist concludes that the prosperous wicked face a hopeless end. The righteous have an endless hope. This psalm is rightfully regarded as a wisdom psalm. Several themes, such as the temporary nature of wealth, are echoed in the book of Proverbs.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.