Psalm 49 is like none before it. This is a proverb psalm; wisdom set to music.
Jesus was known to say, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” (Matthew 11:15, 13:9, 13:43; Mark 4:9; Luke 8:8, 14:35) The prophets also used similar phrases that basically mean, “This is real important. Pay attention. Accept it and live accordingly or else…” (1 Kings 22:28; Isaiah 34:1; Micah 1:2)
Not everything I hear today will be wisdom. Some will be misleading and deceptive. Others will be vicious and poisonous. May my words be sweet wisdom to others.
Verse 4 is the psalter telling themselves that they will turn their ears to wisdom. For me to speak wisdom, I need to listen and follow Jesus’ wisdom. Jesus taught, “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit.” (Matthew 12:33) All true wisdom comes from God. If I reject Jesus’ words how can my words be delicious wisdom?
