Psalm 49:3 Kommentar

This psalm is a sermon, and so is the next. In most of the psalms we have the penman praying or praising; in these we have him preaching; and it is our duty, in singing psalms, to teach and admonish ourselves and one another. The scope and design of this discourse is to convince the men of this world of their sin and folly in setting their hearts upon the things of this world, and so to persuade them to seek the things of a better world; as also to comfort the people of God, in reference to their own troubles and the grief that arises from the prosperity of the wicked. I. In the preface he proposes to awaken worldly people out of their security (Psa 49:1-3) and to comfort himself and other godly people in a day of distress (Psa 49:4, Psa 49:5). II. In the rest of the psalm, 1. He endeavours to convince sinners of their folly in doting upon the wealth of this world, by showing them (1.) That they cannot, with all their wealth, save their friends from death (Psa 49:6-9). (2.) They cannot save themselves from death (Psa 49:10). (3.) They cannot secure to themselves a happiness in this world (Psa 49:11, Psa 49:12). Much less, (4.) Can they secure to themselves a happiness in the other world (Psa 49:14). 2. He endeavours to comfort himself and other good people, (1.) Against the fear of death (Psa 49:15). (2.) Against the fear of the prospering power of wicked people (Psa 49:16-20). In singing this psalm let us receive these instructions, and be wise. To the chief musician. A psalm for the sons of Korah.

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 49 To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. Aben Ezra says this psalm is a very excellent one, since in it is explained the Light of the world to come, and of the rational and immortal soul; and Kimchi is of opinion that it respects both this world and that which is to come: and indeed it treats of the vanity of trusting in riches: of the insufficiency of them for the redemption of the soul; of the short continuance of worldly honour and substance; of the certainty of death, and of the resurrection of the dead. And the design of it is to expose the folly of trusting in uncertain riches, and to comfort the people of God under the want of them.

My mouth shall speak of wisdom,.... Or "wisdoms" (m); of Christ, who is so called, Pro 1:20. 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 Co1 2:6; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding; or "understandings" (n); 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. (m) "sapientias", Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus, Cocceius, Gejerus, Michaelis. (n) "intelligentias", Pagninus, Montanus.

If the meditation is wisdom, what will the message be? When the meditation of the heart is wisdom, wicked thoughts will not come within it, nor is a place given to the devil or those things that defile people.

And what is it they are now to hear? "My mouth shall speak of wisdom, and the meditation of my heart understanding" [Psalm 49:3]. And this repetition is perhaps made, lest perchance if he had said only "my mouth," you should suppose that one spoke to you who had understanding but in his lips. For many have understanding in their lips, but have not in their heart, of whom the Scripture says, "This people honours me with their lips, but their heart is far from me." [Isaiah 29:13] What says he then who speaks to you? When he has said, "My mouth shall speak of wisdom," in order that you may know that what is poured forth from the mouth flows from the bottom of the heart, he has added, "And the meditation of my heart of understanding."

All wisdom comes to be known by reflection and dissemination. So his meaning is, I deliberate on some wise ideas, and with the intention of disseminating them I want you all to be hearers of what is said by me. Hence his reference to “pondering,” for each person to realize that far from coming to instruction by accident, they are brought to learn by deep pondering and much practical experience.

"My mouth." Here he renders them attentive through the promise of the things to be said. Whoever teaches, either teaches things or teaches words. When we preach faith and morals, we teach things; when we expound Scripture, we teach words. First, therefore, he speaks of the first kind of teaching. Second, of the second, at "I will incline." But the knowledge of things is necessary for two purposes: namely, for the knowledge of truth and for use in action. Every knowledge of truth, therefore, that is necessary for us concerning other things, must be referred to the knowledge of the truth of divine things. Hence Augustine says: whoever examines these things without referring them to eternal things is idle. And therefore all knowledge of truth pertains to wisdom; and therefore he says, "My mouth shall speak wisdom." 1 Cor. 2: "We speak wisdom among the perfect." But that which is necessary with respect to use in action pertains to prudence, by which there is direction of human affairs; and therefore he says, "and the meditation of my heart shall speak prudence." Prov. 10: "Wisdom is prudence for a man," because wisdom applied to human and material things is prudence.

This Psalm instructs and consoles. It teaches that earthly advantages are not reliable for permanent happiness, and that, however prosperous worldly men may be for a time, their ultimate destiny is ruin, while the pious are safe in God's care. (Psa. 49:1-20) All are called to hear what interests all. world--literally, "duration of life," the present time.