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Psalm 49:4

I will incline my ear to a proverb. I will solve my riddle on the harp.

2both low and high, rich and poor together.
3My mouth will speak words of wisdom. My heart will utter understanding.
4I will incline my ear to a proverb. I will solve my riddle on the harp.
5Why should I fear in the days of evil, when iniquity at my heels surrounds me?
6Those who trust in their wealth, and boast in the multitude of their riches—
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← Psalm 49:3Psalm 49:5 →
Notice

The ear comes before the harp: the speaker listens to a proverb before addressing a riddle through music, giving wisdom both attention and a voice.

Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.

What do you notice about the speaker listening before solving his riddle?

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What might the harp contribute to words about fear and wealth in the surrounding verses?

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Where could you make room to hear Scripture before trying to explain it?

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Connect

Where else Scripture says this

12 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.

This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
Proverbs 1:6to understand a proverb and parables, the words and riddles of the wise.Both passages name proverbs and riddles as forms of wisdom that require understanding.
Psalm 78:2I will open my mouth in a parable. I will utter dark sayings of old,Both speakers undertake to express difficult sayings, one through a riddle on the harp and the other through sayings of old.
Matthew 13:35that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet, saying, “I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden from the foundation of …Both passages concern speech that discloses something requiring understanding: a riddle in the psalm and hidden things in Matthew.
Numbers 12:8With him, I will speak mouth to mouth, even plainly, and not in riddles; and he shall see the LORD’s form. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my …Riddles connect these passages by contrast: the psalmist works through one, while God says his speech with Moses excludes them.
Numbers 23:7He took up his parable, and said, “From Aram has Balak brought me, the king of Moab from the mountains of the East. Come, curse Jacob for me. Come, defy Israel.The shared thread is a formal wisdom saying: the psalmist attends to a proverb, while Balaam takes up a parable.
Matthew 13:3He spoke to them many things in parables, saying, “Behold, a farmer went out to sow.The psalmist uses a proverb and riddle, while Jesus speaks in parables, beginning with a farmer sowing.
John 16:25“I have spoken these things to you in figures of speech. But the time is coming when I will no more speak to you in figures of speech, but will tell you …Both passages concern indirect forms of speech: the psalmist names a riddle, and Jesus describes his use of figures.
1 Kings 10:1When the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the LORD’s name, she came to test him with hard questions.The psalmist's riddle and the queen of Sheba's hard questions both concern matters that demand understanding.
Matthew 13:11–15He answered them, “To you it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven, but it is not given to them.Both mention matters requiring understanding, though Matthew speaks of knowing the Kingdom's mysteries and the psalm of solving a riddle.
Luke 12:3Therefore whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light. What you have spoken in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed on the …The link is limited to hearing and speech: an attentive ear in the psalm, and private speech becoming public in Luke.
2 Corinthians 3:12Having therefore such a hope, we use great boldness of speech,The connection is limited to expression: the psalmist resolves to voice a riddle's answer, while Paul describes boldness of speech.
Mark 4:2He taught them many things in parables, and told them in his teaching,Both passages describe instruction through sayings that require attention: a proverb and riddle in the psalm, and parables in Mark.
One step

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Read Psalm 49:4 aloud before writing your response

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Encouragement

There is room for careful listening as you seek understanding in Scripture. The speaker who promises wisdom also bends his ear to receive it; his teaching begins with attention.

Now put it in your words.

Start an entry on Psalm 49:4. Write what it stirs. Psalmlog sets your words beside Scripture and gives you one next step. Your first entry is free, no account needed.

Keep goingPsalm 49 · the whole chapter with its connection mapPsalms · every chapterBuild a reading plan through Psalms

Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).