Psalms 49:3

3 My mouth will speak wise words. What I say from my heart will give understanding.

Psalms 49:3 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 49:3

My mouth shall speak of wisdom
Or "wisdoms" F13; of Christ, who is so called, ( Proverbs 1:20 ) ( 9:1 ) . He being as a divine Person the wisdom of God, and the only wise God; and having all the treasures of wisdom in him, as man and Mediator: of him the prophet spake, and of him the apostles and all Gospel ministers speak; of the glories of his Person, of the fulness of his grace, and of his wonderful works; especially of that of redemption and salvation by him, in which there is an abounding of wisdom and prudence. Or the Gospel may be meant, and all the truths of it, in which there is a glorious display of divine wisdom; it is the wisdom of God in a mystery; hidden and ancient wisdom; and which, when truly understood, makes a man wise unto salvation; see ( 1 Corinthians 2:6 1 Corinthians 2:7 ) ;

and the meditation of my heart [shall be] of understanding;
or "understandings" F14; and this is in order to the former; what the heart meditates the mouth speaks. If the heart meditates on understanding, the mouth will speak of wisdom; and a man should think before he speaks, especially the ministers of the Gospel: they ought to meditate on the word of God, the Gospel, and the truths of it, that their profiling may appear to all; that they may understand divine things themselves, and deliver them out to the understanding of others: their concern should be, that through meditation they may have a good treasure of wisdom and knowledge in their hearts, that out of it they may bring forth things pleasant and profitable unto others.


FOOTNOTES:

F13 (twmkx) "sapientias", Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus, Cocceius, Gejerus, Michaelis.
F14 (twnwbt) "intelligentias", Pagninus, Montanus.

Psalms 49:3 In-Context

1 Hear this, all you nations. Listen, all you who live in this world.
2 Listen, ordinary and important people alike. Listen, those of you who are rich or poor.
3 My mouth will speak wise words. What I say from my heart will give understanding.
4 I will pay attention to a proverb. I will explain my riddle as I play the harp.
5 Why should I be afraid when trouble comes? Why should I fear when sinners are all around me? They are the kind of people who want to take advantage of me.
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