Psalms 78:2

“I will open my mouth, etc.] Speak freely, boldly, and without reserve, (<490619>Ephesians 6:19), so Christ opened his mouth, (<400502>Matthew 5:2), in a parable; not that what follows in this psalm was such, but what were delivered by our Lord in the days of his flesh, who spake many parables; as of the sower, and of tares, and of the grain of mustard seed, and many others, and without a parable he spake not, and so fulfilled what he here said he would do, (<401334>Matthew 13:34,35 <410433>Mark 4:33,34). I will utter dark sayings of old; sayings that relate to things of old; meaning not to the coming of the children of Israel out of Egypt, and what follows in the psalm, delivered, as Aben…”

“I will open my mouth in a parable - See the notes at Psalms 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 Psalms 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. return to 'Top of Page'”

“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. Psalms 78:5”

“78:2 The psalmist recites Israel’s story (78:5-72) in a parable in order to teach wisdom and insight. • Jesus quoted this verse to explain why he taught in parables (Matt 13:35).”

“I will: Psa 49:4; Mat 13:13, Mat 13:34, Mat 13:35 dark sayings: Pro 1:6; Mat 13:11-13; Mar 4:34 Psalms 78:3”