Psalm 49:3

The Evanescence of Wealth · Psalm 49:1–20
Read Psalm 49

Translations

Modern
My mouth will impart wisdom, and the meditation of my heart will bring understanding.
Traditional
My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.
Literal
My mouth will speak wisdom, and a declaration of my heart, understanding.
Latin
Os meum loquetur sapientiam, et meditatio cordis mei prudentiam.

Original

Hebrew
English
My mouth will impart wisdom, and the meditation of my heart will bring understanding.

Notes

The wisdom teacher invites everyone to come and learn wisdom. He promises to teach them through a proverb and a riddle.

In this wisdom psalm, a wise teacher warns about enemies who live richly and care only for themselves (Psalm 49:5–9). They cannot save anyone, not even themselves, from death or being forgotten (Psalm 49:10–12). Like fattened animals, they are led to slaughter (Psalm 49:14–20).

Theme notes and profiles

Wisdom Psalms

Parallels

Ecclesiastes 5:8–20

Glossary

David Knowledge Korahite, Korathite Music Numbers, Book of Poor, the Psalms, Book of

Topics

Meditation: General Scriptures Concerning Memory Speech