Psalm 78:2
New International Version
I will open my mouth with a parable; I will utter hidden things, things from of old—

New Living Translation
for I will speak to you in a parable. I will teach you hidden lessons from our past—

English Standard Version
I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old,

Berean Standard Bible
I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden from the beginning,

King James Bible
I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old:

New King James Version
I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old,

New American Standard Bible
I will open my mouth in a parable; I will tell riddles of old,

NASB 1995
I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old,

NASB 1977
I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old,

Legacy Standard Bible
I will open my mouth in a parable; I will pour forth dark sayings of old,

Amplified Bible
I will open my mouth in a parable [to instruct using examples]; I will utter dark and puzzling sayings of old [that contain important truth]—

Christian Standard Bible
I will declare wise sayings; I will speak mysteries from the past —

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I will declare wise sayings; I will speak mysteries from the past—

American Standard Version
I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old,

Contemporary English Version
I will give instruction and explain the mystery of what happened long ago.

English Revised Version
I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I will open my mouth to illustrate points. I will explain what has been hidden long ago,

Good News Translation
I am going to use wise sayings and explain mysteries from the past,

International Standard Version
I will tell a parable, speaking riddles from long ago—

Majority Standard Bible
I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden from the beginning,

NET Bible
I will sing a song that imparts wisdom; I will make insightful observations about the past.

New Heart English Bible
I will open my mouth in a parable. I will utter dark sayings of old,

Webster's Bible Translation
I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old:

World English Bible
I will open my mouth in a parable. I will utter dark sayings of old,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
I open my mouth with an allegory, "" I bring forth hidden things of old,

Young's Literal Translation
I open with a simile my mouth, I bring forth hidden things of old,

Smith's Literal Translation
I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter enigmas from ancient time:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
I will open my mouth in parables: I will utter propositions from the beginning.

Catholic Public Domain Version
I will open my mouth in parables. I will speak about concepts that are from the beginning.

New American Bible
I will open my mouth in a parable, unfold the puzzling events of the past.

New Revised Standard Version
I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter proverbs of old.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
For behold, I shall open my mouth in proverbs and I shall speak in parables of a former time.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
I will open my mouth with a parable; I will utter dark sayings concerning days of old;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
I will open my mouth in parables: I will utter dark sayings which have been from the beginning.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
I Will Open My Mouth in Parables
1A Maskil of Asaph. Give ear, O my people, to my instruction; listen to the words of my mouth. 2I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden from the beginning, 3that we have heard and known and our fathers have relayed to us.…

Cross References
Matthew 13:34-35
Jesus spoke all these things to the crowds in parables. He did not tell them anything without using a parable. / So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: “I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden since the foundation of the world.”

Proverbs 1:6
by understanding the proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.

Isaiah 6:9-10
And He replied: “Go and tell this people, ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ / Make the hearts of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.”

Ezekiel 20:49
Then I said, “Ah, Lord GOD, they are saying of me, ‘Is he not just telling parables?’”

Matthew 13:10-13
Then the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Why do You speak to the people in parables?” / He replied, “The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. / Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. ...

Mark 4:33-34
With many such parables Jesus spoke the word to them, to the extent that they could understand. / He did not tell them anything without using a parable. But privately He explained everything to His own disciples.

Luke 8:10
He replied, “The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, ‘though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.’

1 Corinthians 2:7
No, we speak of the mysterious and hidden wisdom of God, which He destined for our glory before time began.

Romans 16:25-26
Now to Him who is able to strengthen you by my gospel and by the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery concealed for ages past / but now revealed and made known through the writings of the prophets by the command of the eternal God, in order to lead all nations to the obedience that comes from faith—

Colossians 1:26-27
the mystery that was hidden for ages and generations but is now revealed to His saints. / To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Ephesians 3:4-5
In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, / which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets.

John 16:25
I have spoken these things to you in figures of speech. An hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you this way, but will tell you plainly about the Father.

Matthew 11:25
At that time Jesus declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.

2 Corinthians 3:14-16
But their minds were closed. For to this day the same veil remains at the reading of the old covenant. It has not been lifted, because only in Christ can it be removed. / And even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. / But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.

Hebrews 5:11-12
We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain, because you are dull of hearing. / Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to reteach you the basic principles of God’s word. You need milk, not solid food!


Treasury of Scripture

I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old:

I will

Psalm 49:4
I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp.

Matthew 13:13,34,35
Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand…

dark sayings

Proverbs 1:6
To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.

Matthew 13:11-13
He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given…

Mark 4:34
But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.

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Psalm 78
1. An exhortation both to learn and to preach, the law of God
9. The story of God's wrath against the incredulous and disobedient
67. The Israelites being rejected, God chose Judah, Zion, and David.














I will open my mouth in parables;
This phrase indicates the use of parables, a teaching method that conveys deeper spiritual truths through simple stories or analogies. Parables are a common teaching tool in the Bible, used extensively by Jesus Christ in the New Testament (e.g., Matthew 13:34-35). The use of parables in Psalm 78 suggests a method of revealing divine truths that require contemplation and spiritual insight to understand. The psalmist, Asaph, is preparing to share wisdom that is not immediately obvious, inviting the listener to seek deeper understanding. This approach is consistent with the Jewish tradition of teaching through storytelling, which was an effective way to communicate complex ideas in a memorable and engaging manner.

I will utter things hidden from the beginning,
This phrase suggests the revelation of truths that have been concealed or not fully understood since the creation of the world. It implies that the psalmist is about to disclose insights that have been part of God's plan from the start but are now being revealed for the benefit of the audience. This can be seen as a foreshadowing of the mysteries of the kingdom of God that Jesus would later reveal through His teachings. The concept of hidden things being revealed is also echoed in the New Testament, where Paul speaks of the mystery of Christ that was hidden for ages but is now made known (Colossians 1:26). This aligns with the biblical theme of progressive revelation, where God gradually unveils His purposes and plans to humanity over time.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Asaph
The author of Psalm 78, Asaph was a Levite and one of the chief musicians appointed by King David. He is known for his role in leading worship and composing psalms.

2. Israel
The nation to whom the psalm is addressed. Psalm 78 recounts the history of Israel, emphasizing their relationship with God and their repeated disobedience.

3. Parables
The method of teaching mentioned in this verse. Parables are accounts or sayings that convey deeper spiritual truths through metaphorical language.

4. Hidden Things
Refers to the mysteries or truths of God that have been concealed but are now being revealed through the psalmist's teaching.

5. The Beginning
This phrase points to the ancient times, possibly referring to the foundational events in Israel's history, such as the Exodus and the giving of the Law.
Teaching Points
The Power of Parables
Parables are a powerful teaching tool that engage listeners and provoke deeper reflection. They invite us to seek understanding beyond the surface.

Revealing Hidden Truths
God desires to reveal His truths to those who earnestly seek Him. We are encouraged to delve into Scripture to uncover the mysteries of God.

Learning from History
Psalm 78 serves as a reminder to learn from the past. Reflecting on Israel's history helps us understand the consequences of disobedience and the faithfulness of God.

The Role of the Teacher
Asaph's role as a teacher through psalms highlights the importance of those who communicate God's truths. We are called to share the wisdom we receive with others.

Spiritual Insight
Spiritual truths are often hidden from the casual observer. We must approach Scripture with a heart open to the Holy Spirit's guidance to gain true understanding.(2, 3) I will open.--A difficulty is started by the fact that the psalm deals with history, and is neither a proverb (m?shal) nor riddle (chidah). But the Divine rejection of the northern tribes may be the covert meaning which the poet sees to have been wrapped up in all the ancient history. The word m?shal is also sometimes used in a wide, vague sense, embracing prophetic as well as proverbial poetry. (See Numbers 21:27.)

For "dark sayings," literally, knotty points, see Numbers 12:8. In Habakkuk 2:6 the word seems to mean a sarcasm.

For the use of this passage in Matthew 13:35, see Note, New Testament Commentary.

Verse 2. - I will open my mouth in a parable. The facts of Israelitish history. are the "parable," the inner meaning of which it is for the intelligent to grasp. They are φωνᾶντα συνετοῖσιν. I will utter dark sayings of old (comp. Proverbs 1:6). Khidoth (חידות) are properly "riddles" (see Judges 14:12). Here the idea is that God's dealings with his people had been "riddles," whereto the psalmist would give the clue (comp. vers. 21, 22, 33, 56-59, etc.).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
I will open
אֶפְתְּחָ֣ה (’ep̄·tə·ḥāh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect Cohortative - first person common singular
Strong's 6605: To open wide, to loosen, begin, plough, carve

my mouth
פִּ֑י (pî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to

in parables;
בְמָשָׁ֣ל (ḇə·mā·šāl)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4912: A pithy maxim, a simile

I will utter
אַבִּ֥יעָה (’ab·bî·‘āh)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect Cohortative - first person common singular
Strong's 5042: To gush forth, to utter, to emit

things hidden
חִ֝יד֗וֹת (ḥî·ḏō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 2420: A riddle, an enigmatic, perplexing saying or question

from
מִנִּי־ (min·nî-)
Preposition
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

of old,
קֶֽדֶם׃ (qe·ḏem)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6924: The front, of place, time


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OT Poetry: Psalm 78:2 I will open my mouth (Psalm Ps Psa.)
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