King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.
Complete Jewish Bible:
If someone slanders another in secret, I will cut him off. Haughty eyes and proud hearts I cannot abide.
Berean Standard Bible:
Whoever slanders his neighbor in secret, I will put to silence; the one with haughty eyes and a proud heart, I will not endure.
American Standard Version:
Whoso privily slandereth his neighbor, him will I destroy: Him that hath a high look and a proud heart will I not suffer.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Whoso privily{H5643} slandereth{H3960}{H3960} his neighbour{H7453}, him will I cut off{H6789}: him that hath an high{H1362} look{H5869} and a proud{H7342} heart{H3824} will not I suffer{H3201}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Psalms 18:27
- For thou wilt save the afflicted people; but wilt bring down high looks.
Psalms 15:3
- [He that] backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.
Proverbs 30:13
- [There is] a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up.
Psalms 50:20
- Thou sittest [and] speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother's son.
Luke 18:14
- I tell you, this man went down to his house justified [rather] than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
1 Corinthians 5:11
- But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
Titus 2:3
- The aged women likewise, that [they be] in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Psalms 101:5
Psalm 101:5 is part of a Psalm traditionally attributed to King David, though the exact authorship is debated among scholars. The Psalm is a declaration of the writer's commitment to live a life of integrity and righteousness, particularly in the context of ruling justly. In verse 5, the Psalmist expresses a zero-tolerance policy towards slander and pride.
The verse addresses two specific behaviors: speaking ill of others in secret ("privily slandereth his neighbour") and exhibiting arrogance ("an high look and a proud heart"). The Psalmist vows to cut off or eliminate from their presence those who engage in slander, indicating a strong stance against gossip and deceitful speech that can damage relationships and community. Additionally, the Psalmist rejects the company of those who are haughty or arrogant, emphasizing the importance of humility and the rejection of pride.
Historically, this verse reflects the ancient Israelite values of communal harmony and justice, where the reputation of individuals and the well-being of the community were paramount. It also reflects the broader wisdom tradition in the Hebrew Bible, which often warns against the dangers of pride and the destructive power of the tongue. In a leadership context, the verse underscores the responsibility of those in power to uphold moral standards and to cultivate an environment where integrity is valued and deceit is not tolerated.
In summary, Psalm 101:5 conveys a commitment to ethical conduct, particularly for leaders, by condemning slanderous speech and prideful behavior, advocating instead for a culture of honesty, humility, and respect for one's neighbor. This verse continues to resonate with contemporary audiences as a call to personal integrity and as a reminder of the social responsibilities inherent in leadership roles.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H5643
There are 36 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: סֵתֶר
Transliteration: çêther
Pronunciation: say'-ther
Description: or (feminine) סִתְרָה; (Deuteronomy [32:38), from סָתַר; a cover (in a good or a bad, a literal or a figurative sense); backbiting, covering, covert, [idiom] disguise(-th), hiding place, privily, protection, secret(-ly, place). - Strong's Number: H3960
There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לָשַׁן
Transliteration: lâshan
Pronunciation: law-shan'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to lick; but used only as a denominative from לָשׁוֹן; to wag the tongue, i.e. to calumniate; accuse, slander. - Strong's Number: H7453
There are 173 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רֵעַ
Transliteration: rêaʻ
Pronunciation: ray'-ah
Description: or רֵיעַ; from רָעָה; an associate (more or less close); brother, companion, fellow, friend, husband, lover, neighbour, [idiom] (an-) other. - Strong's Number: H6789
There are 14 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: צָמַת
Transliteration: tsâmath
Pronunciation: tsaw-math'
Description: a primitive root; to extirpate (literally or figuratively); consume, cut off, destroy, vanish. - Strong's Number: H1362
There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גָּבָהּ
Transliteration: gâbâhh
Pronunciation: gaw-bawh'
Description: from גָּבַהּ; lofty (literally or figuratively); high, proud. - Strong's Number: H5869
There are 830 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עַיִן
Transliteration: ʻayin
Pronunciation: ah'-yin
Description: probably a primitive word; an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape); affliction, outward appearance, [phrase] before, [phrase] think best, colour, conceit, [phrase] be content, countenance, [phrase] displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, [phrase] favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), [idiom] him, [phrase] humble, knowledge, look, ([phrase] well), [idiom] me, open(-ly), [phrase] (not) please, presence, [phrase] regard, resemblance, sight, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them, [phrase] think, [idiom] us, well, [idiom] you(-rselves). - Strong's Number: H7342
There are 21 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רָחָב
Transliteration: râchâb
Pronunciation: raw-khawb'
Description: from רָחַב; roomy, in any (or every) direction, literally or figuratively; broad, large, at liberty, proud, wide. - Strong's Number: H3824
There are 230 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לֵבָב
Transliteration: lêbâb
Pronunciation: lay-bawb'
Description: from לָבַב; used also like לֵב; the heart (as the most interior organ); [phrase] bethink themselves, breast, comfortably, courage, ((faint), (tender-) heart(-ed), midst, mind, [idiom] unawares, understanding. - Strong's Number: H3201
There are 182 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָכֹל
Transliteration: yâkôl
Pronunciation: yaw-kole'
Description: or (fuller) יָכוֹל; a primitive root; to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might); be able, any at all (ways), attain, can (away with, (-not)), could, endure, might, overcome, have power, prevail, still, suffer.