John Calvin Commentary Psalms 49:3

"My mouth shall speak wisdom; And the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding." — Psalms 49:3 (ASV)

My mouth shall speak of wisdom. The prophet was warranted in applying these commendatory terms to the doctrine he was about to communicate. It is, no doubt, by plain appeals to observation that we find him reproving human folly.

However, the general principle upon which his instruction proceeds is by no means obvious to the common sense of mankind; indeed, his design in using such terms is less to assert the dignity of his subject than simply to awaken attention.

He does this all the more effectually by speaking as one who would apply his own mind to instruction rather than assume the office of exhortation. He presents himself as a humble scholar, one who, while acting as a teacher, simultaneously seeks his own improvement.

It would be desirable that all ministers of God should be actuated by a similar spirit, disposing them to regard God as both their own teacher and the teacher of the common people, and first to embrace for themselves that divine word which they preach to others. The Psalmist had another object in view.

He would secure greater weight and deference for his doctrine by announcing that he had no intention to peddle his own fanciful ideas, but to advance what he had learned in the school of God. This is the true method of instruction to be followed in the Church. The man who holds the office of teacher must apply himself to receiving truth before he attempts to communicate it, and in this way become the means of conveying to others what God has entrusted to him.

Wisdom is not the growth of human genius. It must be sought from above, and it is impossible that anyone should speak with the propriety and knowledge necessary for the edification of the Church who has not, in the first place, been taught at the feet of the Lord. Regarding the specific wording, some read in the third verse (Psalms 49:3), And the meditation of my heart shall speak of understanding. But as it would be a harsh and improper expression to say that the meditation of the heart speaks, I have adopted the simpler reading.