Psalms 49:3

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 49:3 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “My mouth shall speak wisdom; And the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

My mouth shall speak wisdom; And the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.
Psalms 49:3 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 49

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
3My mouth shall speak wisdom; And the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“My mouth shall speak of wisdom, etc.] Or “wisdoms” f640; of Christ, who is so called, (<200120>Proverbs 1:20 9:1). He being as a divine Person the wisdom of God, and the only wise God; and having all the treasures of wisdom in him, as man and Mediator: of him the prophet spake, and of him the apostles and all Gospel ministers speak; of the glories of his Person, of the fulness of his grace, and of his wonderful works; especially of that of redemption and salvation by him, in which there is an abounding of wisdom and prudence. Or the Gospel may be meant, and all the truths of it, in which there is a glorious display of divine wisdom; it is the wisdom of God in a mystery; hidden and ancient…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“My mouth shall speak of wisdom - That is, I will utter sentiments that are wise, or that are of importance to all; sentiments that will enable all to take a just view of the subject on which I speak. This indicates “confidence” in what he was about to utter, as being eminently deserving of attention. And the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding - What I reflect on, and what I give utterance to, in the matter under consideration. The idea is, that he had meditated on the subject, as to what was real wisdom in the matter, and that he would now give utterance to the result of his meditations. It was not wisdom in general, or intelligence or understanding as such on which he designed…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“mouth: Deu 32:2; Job 33:3, Job 33:33; Pro 4:1, Pro 4:2, Pro 8:6-11, Pro 22:17, Pro 22:20, Pro 22:21; Ti2 3:15-17 meditation: Psa 19:14, Psa 45:1, Psa 104:34; Mat 12:35 Psalms 49:4”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification