Psalm 78:2 kjv
I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old:
Psalm 78:2 nkjv
I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old,
Psalm 78:2 niv
I will open my mouth with a parable; I will utter hidden things, things from of old?
Psalm 78:2 esv
I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old,
Psalm 78:2 nlt
for I will speak to you in a parable.
I will teach you hidden lessons from our past ?
Psalm 78 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Matt 13:34-35 | "All these things Jesus spoke...that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, 'I will open My mouth in parables..." | Jesus fulfills Ps 78:2 by teaching in parables. |
| Prov 1:6 | "...to understand a proverb and a figure, the words of the wise and their riddles." | Wisdom for understanding enigmatic sayings. |
| Deut 4:9-10 | "Only take heed to yourself...lest you forget the things which your eyes have seen...and teach them to your children and your grandchildren." | Command to pass on God's truth to future generations. |
| Deut 6:7 | "You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them..." | Instructing future generations about God's statutes. |
| Josh 4:6-7 | "When your children ask... 'What do these stones mean?' then you shall tell them..." | Historical acts as lessons for future generations. |
| Judg 2:10 | "...another generation arose who did not know the LORD nor the work which He had done..." | Failure to teach God's works leads to spiritual decline. |
| Isa 5:1-7 | "Let me sing for my well-beloved...a song of my beloved regarding His vineyard..." | Example of a 'mashal' (parable) to convey truth. |
| Jer 23:28-29 | "...he who has My word, let him speak My word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat?" | The nature of a prophet speaking God's word. |
| Psa 49:4 | "I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will open my riddle on the harp." | Willingness to embrace and express profound truth. |
| Num 12:8 | "I speak with him face to face...rather than by riddles..." | God speaking clearly vs. in enigmas (not to Moses). |
| Dan 2:22 | "He reveals profound and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness..." | God as the source of revelation of deep truths. |
| 1 Cor 2:7 | "But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom..." | God's wisdom is often a hidden mystery to the world. |
| Eph 3:3-5 | "...the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have briefly written already..." | The mystery of Christ revealed through revelation. |
| Col 1:26-27 | "...the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed..." | Christ as the previously hidden mystery. |
| Heb 1:1-2 | "God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son..." | God's progressive revelation over time. |
| Rom 15:4 | "For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope." | Old Testament scriptures for our instruction. |
| 1 Cor 10:6 | "Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not crave evil things..." | Israel's past acts serve as warnings and examples. |
| Psa 78:3-6 | "Which we have heard and known...we will not hide them from their children...that the generation to come might know them..." | The mandate to transmit God's historical truths. |
| Job 28:12 | "But where can wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?" | The deep quest for true wisdom and understanding. |
| John 16:25 | "These things I have spoken to you in figurative language; but the time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language, but I will tell you plainly about the Father." | Jesus' progressive revelation, from parables to plain truth. |
Psalm 78 verses
Psalm 78 2 Meaning
Psalm 78:2 declares the psalmist's intentional act to communicate profound, ancient truths concerning God's actions and Israel's history through allegorical and enigmatic language. This method of communication aims to reveal deeper spiritual wisdom that requires discernment, providing crucial instruction and warnings derived from past divine dealings and human responses. It foreshadows a style of teaching that veils truth from some while illuminating it for those who seek to understand.
Psalm 78 2 Context
Psalm 78 is identified as a "Maskil" of Asaph, signifying a didactic or instructive psalm, designed to impart wisdom. Composed in a historical narrative style, it recounts God's faithfulness to Israel and Israel's repeated rebellion from the Exodus through the time of David, ultimately affirming God's steadfast choice of Zion and David. Verse 2 functions as the introductory declaration of the psalmist's intent. He is about to deliver a profound lesson from the nation's past, presented in a way that is both engaging and requiring contemplation, rather than mere rote recitation of facts. The purpose is not just to relay history, but to teach enduring spiritual principles and encourage future generations to avoid the failures of their ancestors, promoting covenant obedience and trust in God.
Psalm 78 2 Word analysis
- I will open my mouth: This phrase signifies a deliberate and authoritative act of communication. It suggests a solemn and intentional utterance, often used for prophecy or important teaching, implying the speaker is ready to declare significant truths.
- in a parable: Hebrew: מָשָׁל (mashal). This term is broader than a simple story. It can refer to a proverb, an allegory, a riddle, a comparison, or a didactic discourse. It often carries a moral or spiritual point, designed to conceal truth from the undiscerning while revealing it to those with insight. In this context, it frames the subsequent historical narrative not just as a factual recount, but as a deeper lesson embodying profound spiritual principles.
- I will utter: Implies a formal, often solemn or prophetic declaration. It reinforces the weight and importance of what is about to be said, emphasizing that these are not casual remarks but divinely inspired truths.
- dark sayings: Hebrew: חִידוֹת (chidoth). This word typically means "riddles" or "enigmas." It refers to profound truths that are not immediately obvious or easily understood, requiring deeper thought, insight, or divine revelation to comprehend. They are not "dark" in a negative sense, but rather "deep" or "mysterious," containing layers of meaning.
- of old: Hebrew: קֶדֶם (qedem). This signifies "ancient times," "from primeval past," or "eternally." It highlights the historical depth and enduring relevance of the truths being shared. These are not new ideas, but foundational, foundational truths rooted in God's historical dealings with humanity and Israel from the very beginning. It grounds the "dark sayings" in a timeless, divine context.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- I will open my mouth in a parable: This initial clause establishes the psalmist's authoritative stance as a teacher or prophet. The chosen method is mashal, indicating a communication style meant to provoke thought, reveal hidden wisdom, and engage the audience beyond a superficial understanding. It immediately signals that the following historical account will carry deeper, allegorical significance.
- I will utter dark sayings of old: This phrase functions as a poetic parallel to the first, reinforcing the intention. "Utter" reinforces the formal declaration, while "dark sayings" (riddles or enigmas) further clarifies the nature of the mashal—it is not simple storytelling but profound truth veiled in language that requires discernment. The addition "of old" emphasizes that these profound truths are not newly invented but are rooted in ancient, perhaps even timeless, divine dealings and principles, demonstrating God's consistent character and methods throughout history. This group sets the tone for the entire psalm as a divinely inspired, historically grounded, and prophetically charged exposition of timeless spiritual truths.
Psalm 78 2 Bonus section
The call to "hear" at the beginning of Psalm 78 (v. 1) directly precedes this verse, setting the expectation for careful listening to these profound historical truths. The structure of Psalm 78 itself, flowing from this declaration, moves beyond mere facts to a theological interpretation of Israel's national history, showcasing the pedagogical role of the Levites (like Asaph) in ancient Israel to teach the nation through their sacred scriptures. The concept of "dark sayings" aligns with how wisdom is often presented in Scripture: as something sought after, revealed incrementally, and often understood through personal spiritual growth or divine insight. This anticipates a progressive understanding of truth, echoing how God progressively revealed His redemptive plan throughout salvation history.
Psalm 78 2 Commentary
Psalm 78:2 is the psalmist Asaph's profound introduction to his lengthy didactic poem. He pledges to speak not merely a historical account, but a "parable" (mashal) filled with "dark sayings" (chidoth) derived "of old" (qedem). This is crucial because it transforms a historical narrative into a timeless lesson on God's covenant faithfulness and Israel's cyclical disobedience. The mashal format signifies a communication method that requires introspection, inviting listeners to move beyond surface understanding to discern deeper spiritual truths and patterns. These "dark sayings" are not obscure for the sake of being confusing, but contain profound wisdom, often veiled from the complacent, but revealed to those with attentive hearts. Jesus himself quotes this very verse (Matt 13:34-35) to explain His own parabolic teaching, emphasizing that His method of revealing truth was precisely the ancient, Spirit-guided method foreseen by Asaph, designed to both illuminate and obscure according to divine purpose and human receptiveness. Ultimately, Psalm 78:2 sets the stage for God's history with His people to be understood as a powerful teaching tool, meant to shape the hearts and actions of succeeding generations towards trust and obedience, leveraging the lessons of ancient patterns to inform current and future behavior.