Hear this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world:
The one calling for hearers here is Christ, as shown by the New Testament quotation of verse 4 in Matthew 13:35. The summons is universal, calling all peoples everywhere, all inhabitants of the world, to listen. Together with verse 2, the call embraces people of every social standing, both rich and poor. He issues this call because He speaks wisdom, for He is Wisdom itself, inviting all to hear the message of truth.
The summons introduces His teaching on the vanity of riches and their inability to redeem a soul. It also introduces teaching on people continuing from generation to generation in wickedness, self-confidence, and vain glory. It introduces the contrast between the end of the wicked, laid like sheep in the grave and forgotten, and the end of the righteous, who obtain dominion in the morning through redemption from the power of the grave.
In its historical setting the psalm relates to the sorrows and afflictions of the Hebrew captives, offering exhortation and encouragement with assurance of divine help and final deliverance from persecutors. The psalm teaches about the second coming of Christ and the preparation needed for that event.
The one calling for hearers here is Christ, as shown by the New Testament quotation of verse 4 in Matthew 13:35. The summons is universal, calling all peoples everywhere, all inhabitants of the world, to listen. Together with verse 2, the call embraces people of every social standing, both rich and poor. He issues this call because He speaks wisdom, for He is Wisdom itself, inviting all to hear the message of truth.
The summons introduces His teaching on the vanity of riches and their inability to redeem a soul. It also introduces teaching on people continuing from generation to generation in wickedness, self-confidence, and vain glory. It introduces the contrast between the end of the wicked, laid like sheep in the grave and forgotten, and the end of the righteous, who obtain dominion in the morning through redemption from the power of the grave.
In its historical setting the psalm relates to the sorrows and afflictions of the Hebrew captives, offering exhortation and encouragement with assurance of divine help and final deliverance from persecutors. The psalm teaches about the second coming of Christ and the preparation needed for that event.