Psalm 49:1-4 - May 26, 2009

Ps 49:1-4 For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm.
"Hear this, all you peoples; listen, all who live in this world, 2 both low and high, rich and poor alike: 3 My mouth will speak words of wisdom; the utterance from my heart will give understanding. 4 I will turn my ear to a proverb; with the harp I will expound my riddle." NIV

This introduction to psalm 49 carries within it a call to recognize our need. “Hear this, all you peoples; all who live in this world,” It is a reminder that there are some things that are universal to all. This verse very simply reminds us that when wisdom is being spoken all should listen. There is a common saying in theological circles that “all truth is God’s truth.” If something is true, if something is wise, then its origin is God no matter the source. Truth can be found in the mouth of a donkey, or the mouth of a child and truth can be found in the mouth of a prophet or a university professor. But the wise man is not so concerned with the source as he is the ability to recognize truth when he hears it.
The cry of this psalm is very pointed in its call to both rich and poor, high and low and it reminds us of one of the great snares of life; pride. Too often pride blinds us to being able to accept the counsel of one whom our pride has caused us not to respect. In Numbers 22 a rebellious prophet is resisting God’s purpose and in an effort to correct him God opens the mouth of the donkey he is riding and the donkey begins to speak with Balaam. Now some of us might look at this story and say “wow, what a miracle. The donkey is talking.” But I must point out that what is truly amazing about this story is not a donkey talking but a man arguing back when the donkey does talk! The important lesson in this story is that if your donkey starts talking, you should be smart enough to listen!
Balaam is so caught up in his stubborn pride that he cannot even see the miracle that has taken place to try and speak into his foolishness and prevent an even greater tragedy. Balaam is so blinded by his pride that he is arguing and cannot recognize that this moment was a moment to stop and listen, not a moment to keep pressing through, resisting the counsel regardless of the source. Has a stubborn spirit overtaken you at times and left you arguing with the donkey that God has sent to stop you before it is too late? This psalm is a call to both high and low to recognize the voice of wisdom, no matter when it comes, nor who it comes through. It is a call to be teachable. It is a call to have the humility that opens your eyes instead of the pride that blinds them. Ask the Lord if there is a voice of wisdom you have been resisting because of pride. Ask Him to open your eyes like he did to Balaam so that you can recognize the divine help that you may have been resisting before it is too late.