Psalms 49:3

49:3 I will declare a wise saying; ¹ 

I will share my profound thoughts. ² 

Proverbs 22:20-21

22:20 Have I not written thirty sayings ³  for you,

sayings ⁴  of counsel and knowledge,

22:21 to show you true and reliable words, ⁵ 

so that you may give accurate answers ⁶  to those who sent you?

[49:3]  ¹ tn Heb “my mouth will speak wisdom.” According to BDB 315 s.v. חָכְמָה the plural חָכְמוֹת (khokhmot, “wisdom”) indicates degree or emphasis here.

[49:3]  ² tn Heb “and the meditation of my heart [i.e., mind] is understanding.” The Hebrew term הָגוּת (hagut, “meditation”), derived from הָגָה (hagah, “to recite quietly; to meditate”), here refers to thoughts that are verbalized (see the preceding line). The plural form תְבוּנוֹת (tÿvunot, “understanding”) indicates degree or emphasis (see GKC 397-98 §124.e).

[22:20]  ³ tn Older English versions and a few more recent ones render this phrase as either “excellent things” following the Qere (so KJV, ASV, NASB, NKJV), “officers,” or “heretofore” [day before yesterday], following the Kethib. However (as in most recent English versions) the Qere should be rendered “thirty,” referring to the number in the collection (cf. NAB, NIV, NRSV, NLT).

[22:20]  ⁴ tn The term “sayings” does not appear in the Hebrew text but is supplied in the translation for the sake of clarity.

[22:21]  ⁵ tn Heb “to cause you to know the truth of words of truth” (NASB similar).

[22:21]  ⁶ tn Heb “to return true words”; NAB “a dependable report”; NIV “sound answers.”