“I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp.”
The declaration that the psalmist will turn his ear to a proverb and will explain a riddle to the accompaniment of a harp establishes a teaching method combining verbal and musical elements. The reference to proverbs and riddles suggests the use of traditional wisdom forms; the teaching will employ recognized pedagogical formats. The accompaniment of music suggests that the wisdom will be presented in a memorable and aesthetically appealing form; both intellect and emotion are engaged. The promise to explain the riddle suggests that the psalmist will illuminate traditionally obscure wisdom through interpretation. This verse establishes the psalmist's method of transmitting wisdom through traditional forms enhanced by musical accompaniment.
Church Fathers on Psalms 49:4
The First Part. 1. ...“Hear ye these things, all you nations” Psalm 48:1. Not then you only who are here. For of what power is our voice so to cry out, as that all nations may hear? For Our Lord Jesus Christ has proclaimed it through the Apostles, has proclaimed it in so many tongues that He sent; and we see this Psalm, which before was only repeated in one nation, in the Synagogue of the Jews, now repeated throughout the whole world, throughout all Churches; and that…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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