Psalms 101:5

Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.

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}.

If someone slanders another in secret, I will cut him off. Haughty eyes and proud hearts I cannot abide.

Whoever slanders his neighbor in secret, I will put to silence; the one with haughty eyes and a proud heart, I will not endure.

Whoso privily slandereth his neighbor, him will I destroy: Him that hath a high look and a proud heart will I not suffer.

Psalm 101:5 is a powerful declaration from King David, outlining two specific types of individuals he would not tolerate in his presence or administration: the slanderer and the proud. This verse reflects David's commitment to righteous governance and personal integrity.

Context

Psalm 101 is often referred to as a "Psalm of a King's Vow" or "A Psalm of David." In this psalm, David lays out his principles for righteous leadership and personal conduct within his household and kingdom. He commits to living a blameless life and to ensuring that his court is free from wickedness. Verse 5 is a direct statement of his policy regarding those who would undermine justice and harmony through their words or attitudes, setting a standard for moral governance. It's a blueprint for a leader dedicated to purity and justice, establishing a foundation for his reign.

Key Themes

  • Rejection of Slander and Gossip: David explicitly states his intolerance for those who "privily slandereth his neighbour." This refers to secret, malicious defamation or spreading rumors. Such actions undermine trust, destroy reputations, and sow discord within a community or kingdom. David vows to "cut off" such individuals, implying their removal from his presence or office. This highlights the destructive power of the tongue.
  • Condemnation of Pride: The verse also targets "him that hath an high look and a proud heart." This describes arrogance, haughtiness, and self-exaltation. Pride is consistently condemned throughout Scripture as an abomination to God, often leading to a fall. David, as a righteous ruler, would not "suffer" or tolerate such an attitude, recognizing its corrosive effect on humility and service.
  • Commitment to Justice and Purity: The psalm as a whole, and this verse in particular, showcases David's determination to maintain a just and pure court. He aims to surround himself with those who uphold righteousness and to actively remove those who practice wickedness, whether through secret malice or overt arrogance. This demonstrates a leader's responsibility to foster an environment of integrity.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "privily slandereth" emphasizes the clandestine and insidious nature of the defamation. It's not an open accusation but a secret whisper designed to harm. The term "cut off" (Hebrew: karat, meaning to cut, sever, or destroy) signifies a decisive removal, exclusion, or even destruction, indicating a severe consequence for such behavior. "High look and a proud heart" succinctly captures the essence of arrogance, where one's outward demeanor reflects an inner conceit, a concept frequently addressed in Proverbs 16:18 which warns that "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall."

Related Scriptures

The Bible consistently warns against the dangers of slander and pride. For instance, Proverbs 10:18 speaks against those who utter slander, and Romans 1:29 lists whisperers and slanderers among those given over to a depraved mind. Regarding pride, James 4:6 declares that "God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble." These verses reinforce the universal biblical condemnation of these character flaws.

Practical Application

Psalm 101:5 offers timeless wisdom applicable to all individuals, not just leaders. For personal conduct, it serves as a powerful reminder to guard our tongues against gossip and defamation and to cultivate humility rather than arrogance. In our homes, workplaces, and communities, we are called to be people of integrity who do not engage in or tolerate slander. For those in positions of authority—whether in government, business, or the church—this verse is a call to ethical leadership, emphasizing the importance of fostering an environment where truth and humility thrive, and where destructive behaviors like slander and pride are actively addressed and eliminated. It encourages us to strive for the kind of character that God himself favors, as He also hates a proud look and a lying tongue.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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;
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