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Selected Verse: Psalms 78:2 - King James

Verse	Translation	Text
Ps 78:2	King James	I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old:

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Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
I will open my mouth in a parable - See the notes at Psa 49:4. The word "parable" here means a statement by analogy or comparison; that is, he would bring out what he had to say by a course of reasoning founded on an analogy drawn from the ancient history of the people. I will utter dark sayings of old - Of ancient times; that is, maxims, or sententious thoughts, which had come down from past times, and which embodied the results of ancient observation and reflection. Compare Psa 49:4, where the word rendered "dark sayings" is explained. He would bring out, and apply, to the present case, the maxims of ancient wisdom.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]

I will open my mouth in a parable - See the notes at Psa 49:4. The word "parable" here means a statement by analogy or comparison; that is, he would bring out what he had to say by a course of reasoning founded on an analogy drawn from the ancient history of the people.

I will utter dark sayings of old - Of ancient times; that is, maxims, or sententious thoughts, which had come down from past times, and which embodied the results of ancient observation and reflection. Compare Psa 49:4, where the word rendered "dark sayings" is explained. He would bring out, and apply, to the present case, the maxims of ancient wisdom.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
Parable - Weighty sentences. Dark sayings - Not that the words are hard to be understood, but the things, God's transcendent goodness, their unparallel'd ingratitude; and their stupid ignorance and insensibleness, under such excellent teachings of God's word and works, are prodigious and hard to be believed. Of old - Of things done in ancient times.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]

Parable - Weighty sentences. Dark sayings - Not that the words are hard to be understood, but the things, God's transcendent goodness, their unparallel'd ingratitude; and their stupid ignorance and insensibleness, under such excellent teachings of God's word and works, are prodigious and hard to be believed. Of old - Of things done in ancient times.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
In a parable - Or, I will give you instruction by numerous examples; see Psa 49:1-4 (note), which bears a great similarity to this; and see the notes there. The term parable, in its various acceptations, has already been sufficiently explained; but משל mashal may here mean example, as opposed to תורה torah, law or precept, Psa 49:1.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826

In a parable - Or, I will give you instruction by numerous examples; see Psa 49:1-4 (note), which bears a great similarity to this; and see the notes there. The term parable, in its various acceptations, has already been sufficiently explained; but משל mashal may here mean example, as opposed to תורה torah, law or precept, Psa 49:1.

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