The Audience (Verses 1-6)

        ·         The word “world” is the translation of an unusual Hebrew word that means “the total human scene, the 
              whole sphere of passing life.” [1] 
        ·         It’s not just a reference to the globe but all of humanity.  This is a message addressed to all humans of all 
              time.
        ·         The Psalmists uses the language of wisdom (verse 4: “I will turn my ear to a proverb” and of prophecy (“I 
               will expound my riddle”)
        ·         The author gives a basic statement of foundation for the prophetic wisdom that follows in verses 5-6: Why  
               should I fear when evil days come, when wicked deceivers surround me—
         those who trust in their wealth and boast of their great riches?

[1] Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Worshipful, 1st ed. (Colorado Springs, Colo.: Cook Communications Ministries, 2004), 180-81.