Psalms 49:2

49:2 Pay attention, all you people, ¹ 

both rich and poor!

Psalms 78:6

78:6 so that the next generation, children yet to be born,

might know about them.

They will grow up and tell their descendants about them. ² 

Psalms 103:17

103:17 But the Lord continually shows loyal love to his faithful followers, ³ 

and is faithful to their descendants, ⁴ 

[49:2]  ¹ tn Heb “even the sons of mankind, even the sons of man.” Because of the parallel line, where “rich and poor” are mentioned, some treat these expressions as polar opposites, with בְּנֵי אָדָם (bÿney ’adam) referring to the lower classes and בְּנֵי אִישׁ (bÿney ’ish) to higher classes (cf. NIV, NRSV). But usage does not support such a view. The rare phrase בְּנֵי אִישׁ (“sons of man”) appears to refer to human beings in general in its other uses (see Pss 4:2; 62:9; Lam 3:33). It is better to understand “even the sons of mankind” and “even the sons of man” as synonymous expressions (cf. NEB “all mankind, every living man”). The repetition emphasizes the need for all people to pay attention, for the psalmist’s message is relevant to everyone.

[78:6]  ² tn Heb “in order that they might know, a following generation, sons [who] will be born, they will arise and will tell to their sons.”

[103:17]  ³ tn Heb “but the loyal love of the Lord [is] from everlasting to everlasting over those who fear him.”

[103:17]  ⁴ tn Heb “and his righteousness to sons of sons.”