Psalms 50:20

KJV

Thou sittest [and] speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother's son.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thou sittest {H3427}{H8799)} and speakest {H1696}{H8762)} against thy brother {H251}; thou {H5414}{H8799)} slanderest {H1848} thine own mother's {H517} son {H1121}.

Complete Jewish Bible

you sit and speak against your kinsman, you slander your own mother's son.

Berean Standard Bible

You sit and malign your brother; you slander your own mother’s son.

American Standard Version

Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; Thou slanderest thine own mother’s son.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 50:20 delivers a severe divine indictment against those within God's covenant people who engage in destructive speech. Acting as a celestial judge, God exposes the profound hypocrisy of individuals who, despite outward religious observance, habitually slander and defame their closest kin. This verse specifically condemns the insidious nature of malicious gossip and false accusation, revealing how such speech not only shatters communal harmony but also violates the most sacred familial bonds, thereby betraying a heart far removed from genuine worship and covenant faithfulness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 50 is a powerful prophetic psalm, structured as a "covenant lawsuit" (`riv`), where God, the divine Suzerain, summons all of creation as witnesses to His case against unfaithful Israel. The psalm unfolds in two primary movements. The initial section [Psalm 50:1-15](/psalms/50-1-15 "Psalm 50:1-15 - God's Rejection of Mere Ritual") establishes God's majestic arrival and His rejection of superficial, ritualistic sacrifices when unaccompanied by a righteous heart. He clarifies that He does not require their offerings for His sustenance but desires heartfelt thanksgiving and the fulfillment of vows. The latter section [Psalm 50:16-23](/psalms/50-16-23 "Psalm 50:16-23 - God's Indictment of the Wicked"), where verse 20 is centrally located, directly confronts the wicked within the covenant community—those who profess allegiance but live in blatant disobedience. God systematically enumerates their transgressions, including their disdain for divine instruction [Psalm 50:17](/psalms/50-17 "Psalm 50:17 - Hating Instruction"), their association with thieves and adulterers [Psalm 50:18](/psalms/50-18 "Psalm 50:18 - Association with Evildoers"), and their unrestrained, deceitful speech [Psalm 50:19](/psalms/50-19 "Psalm 50:19 - Giving Your Mouth to Evil"). Verse 20 specifically intensifies this indictment by focusing on the particularly heinous sin of slandering one's own family members, highlighting the profound betrayal inherent in such actions.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The backdrop of Psalm 50 reflects a critical period in Israel's history marked by a stark dissonance between meticulous religious observance and widespread ethical decay. While the people diligently performed sacrifices and rituals as prescribed by the Mosaic Law, their daily lives were frequently characterized by moral corruption, social injustice, and a blatant disregard for the relational demands of the covenant. The legal metaphor of a "covenant lawsuit" was deeply ingrained in ancient Near Eastern treaty forms, where a powerful suzerain (God) would bring charges against a vassal (Israel) for violating the terms of their agreement. God's accusation in verse 20, concerning slander against a "brother" and "mother's son," underscores the immense value placed on communal harmony, familial loyalty, and personal honor within Israelite society. In this cultural context, malicious speech was not merely a minor social transgression but a grave offense that fractured the very fabric of the community, undermined the family unit, and ultimately violated God's law, particularly the Ninth Commandment against bearing false witness [Exodus/20-16](/exodus/20-16 "Exodus 20:16 - The Ninth Commandment").
* **Key Themes:** This verse profoundly contributes to several overarching themes within Psalm 50 and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully articulates the theme of **divine judgment and accountability**, asserting that God scrutinizes and condemns not only overt acts of rebellion but also the insidious sins of the tongue that erode trust and community. Secondly, it reinforces the critical theme of **true worship versus outward ritualism**, arguing that genuine piety is manifested not by mere sacrificial offerings but by righteous living, which crucially includes the responsible and edifying use of speech. The psalm critiques the profound hypocrisy of those who mistakenly believe their religious observances can somehow compensate for or absolve them of their moral failures. Thirdly, the verse vividly illustrates the **destructive nature of malicious speech**, highlighting its capacity to poison even the most intimate relationships, such as those within one's own family. This resonates deeply with the frequent warnings found in the wisdom literature regarding the immense power of the tongue [Proverbs/18-21](/proverbs/18-21 "Proverbs 18:21 - The Power of the Tongue and Life"). Finally, Psalm 50:20 underscores the **paramount importance of integrity and consistency** between one's professed faith and one's daily conduct, especially in how one treats fellow human beings, who are created in the divine image.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sittest (Hebrew, _yâshab'_):** The verb יָשַׁב (H3427, _yâshab'_), meaning "to sit down," "to dwell," or "to remain," is highly significant in this context. It suggests a settled, deliberate, and perhaps even habitual posture or disposition. The implication is that the act of speaking against one's brother is not a spontaneous, accidental outburst but a calculated, comfortable, or ingrained engagement in malicious speech. This indicates a premeditated pattern of behavior rather than an isolated incident, highlighting the depth and intentionality of the sin.
* **Speakest (Hebrew, _dâbar'_):** The verb דָּבַר (H1696, _dâbar'_), meaning "to speak," "to arrange," or "to declare," is used here in conjunction with the preposition "against" (implied by context or a separate preposition in Hebrew not captured by the single Strong's number for the verb). While the root simply means "to speak," its usage in this verse clearly denotes speaking negatively, critically, or accusingly about someone. It refers to engaging in defamatory or condemnatory speech, often behind the person's back, which actively undermines their reputation and standing within the community.
* **Slanderest (Hebrew, _dophîy'_):** The KJV "slanderest" directly translates the Hebrew word דֹּפִי (H1848, _dophîy'_). According to the ground truth data, this word means "a stumbling-block" or "slanderest." It originates from an unused root implying "to push over." In this context, it vividly conveys the act of defaming someone, casting a shadow on their character, or bringing false accusations against them. The term emphasizes the damage inflicted upon the victim's reputation and honor, which were of paramount importance in ancient Israelite society, effectively creating a "stumbling-block" for their standing.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thou sittest [and] speakest against thy brother;":** This initial clause levels a direct accusation against the wicked Israelite, highlighting their deliberate and habitual engagement in malicious speech directed at a fellow member of the covenant community. The "sitting" posture implies a settled, perhaps even relaxed or comfortable, disposition while undertaking this destructive activity. The term "brother" here refers to a fellow Israelite, a member of the same spiritual family of faith, thereby emphasizing the profound betrayal inherent in such speech. This is not merely casual gossip but a deliberate act of speaking ill, accusing, or defaming.
* **"thou slanderest thine own mother's son.":** This second clause functions to intensify the accusation of the first through the powerful use of **synonymous parallelism** and **climax**. While "brother" can be a general term for a fellow countryman or covenant member, "thine own mother's son" specifically denotes a full sibling, representing the closest and most intimate familial bond possible. Slandering such a person is an act of profound betrayal and a grievous violation of the deepest ties of loyalty, affection, and trust. It underscores the heinous nature of the sin, revealing a heart devoid of natural affection, respect, and integrity, even towards those with whom one shares the most intimate and foundational connection.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 50:20 masterfully employs several potent literary devices to convey its stark message. The most prominent is **Parallelism**, specifically **Synonymous Parallelism**, where the second line reiterates, reinforces, and amplifies the meaning of the first line. The phrase "Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother" is directly paralleled by "thou slanderest thine own mother's son." This repetition not only strengthens the condemnation of malicious speech but also deepens its emotional and theological impact. Furthermore, there is a clear element of **Intensification** or **Climax** embedded within this parallelism. The progression from "thy brother" to "thine own mother's son" escalates the severity of the offense. While "brother" can broadly refer to any fellow Israelite or covenant member, "mother's son" specifically designates the closest possible blood relation, making the act of slander against such a person an even more egregious and unnatural betrayal. The use of "slanderest" (H1848, _dophîy_), which literally means "a stumbling-block" or "blemish," serves as a form of **Metonymy** or **Idiom**, where the damaging effect of the action (a blemish on reputation, a stumbling block to trust) stands for the action itself (slander), vividly portraying the profound and lasting harm inflicted by the words.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 50:20 profoundly underscores the biblical emphasis on the sanctity of speech and the devastating consequences of its misuse. It reveals that God's concern extends far beyond mere outward religious performance to the very integrity of the human heart, which is often most clearly expressed through the words of the tongue. The sin of slander, particularly when directed against those within one's own community and, most heinously, one's own family, is presented as a grave offense that fundamentally undermines covenant faithfulness and communal trust. This verse serves as a powerful and timeless reminder that true righteousness is holistic, encompassing both vertical devotion to God and horizontal love for one's neighbor, with speech serving as a crucial and often revealing indicator of the heart's true condition. It anticipates and foreshadows numerous New Testament teachings that amplify the profound responsibility believers bear for every word they utter.

* [Exodus 20:16](/exodus/20-16 "Exodus 20:16 - The Ninth Commandment")
* [Proverbs 10:18](/proverbs/10-18 "Proverbs 10:18 - Lies and Slander")
* [James 3:5-8](/james/3-5-8 "James 3:5-8 - The Untamable Tongue")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 50:20 functions as a timeless and convicting mirror, calling all believers to a profound and searching self-examination regarding the stewardship of their words. It challenges us to recognize that our speech is never a neutral act but rather a potent force, capable of immense good or devastating harm, and always a true reflection of the underlying condition of our hearts. The severe condemnation of slander, especially when directed at those closest to us—our family and fellow believers—compels us to deeply consider the true intent behind our words: do they spring from love, truth, and a genuine desire for reconciliation and edification, or from malice, envy, bitterness, or a desire to elevate ourselves by diminishing others? This verse urgently calls us to cultivate a life of unwavering integrity where our outward profession of faith is consistently aligned with our inward character, most tangibly demonstrated by the purity, grace, and edifying nature of our speech. It serves as a stark reminder that God hears every word we utter and holds us accountable for how we employ this powerful gift, particularly in our interactions within the family of God and our biological families.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what subtle or overt ways might I be "sitting and speaking against my brother" or "slandering my mother's son" through gossip, unjust criticism, or negative assumptions?**
* **How does my daily speech authentically reflect the true condition of my heart and my relationship with God?**
* **What specific, practical steps can I commit to taking to cultivate a consistent habit of edifying, truthful, and gracious speech, especially within my closest relationships?**
* **How can I actively resist and counter the temptation to engage in or passively listen to slander within my community, workplace, or family circles?**

### FAQ

**Why is slandering "thine own mother's son" specifically mentioned, and what does it signify?**

Answer: The phrase "thine own mother's son" is a powerful and deliberate intensification of the more general term "thy brother." While "brother" can broadly refer to any fellow Israelite, covenant member, or even a close friend, "mother's son" specifically denotes a full sibling, representing the closest and most intimate familial bond possible. Its inclusion in this verse signifies the extreme heinousness and unnaturalness of the sin. It highlights that the malicious speech is not merely directed against a distant acquaintance but against someone with whom one shares the deepest ties of blood, trust, and loyalty. Such an act represents a profound betrayal of the most sacred and foundational relationships, demonstrating a severe moral and spiritual decay. It underscores that true righteousness and covenant faithfulness must permeate even the closest personal interactions, where love, honor, and respect should naturally abound, and that violating these bonds through slander is an especially grievous offense in God's eyes.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 50:20, with its piercing condemnation of malicious speech and profound betrayal within the covenant community, finds its ultimate fulfillment and redemptive resolution in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament law, including its implicit and explicit demands for righteous speech and integrity, served to expose humanity's utter failure to live up to God's holy standards. We, like the unfaithful Israelites in Psalm 50, are inherently prone to hypocrisy, with our mouths often revealing the deep-seated sinfulness and corruption of our hearts [Matthew/15-18-19](/matthew/15-18-19 "Matthew 15:18-19 - What Defiles a Person"). Jesus, however, perfectly fulfilled the law in every respect; He never slandered, never betrayed, and always spoke words of perfect truth, profound grace, and eternal life. He is the ultimate "brother" and "mother's son" who, though innocent, endured unimaginable slander, false accusations, and unjust condemnation for our sake [1_peter/2-23](/1_peter/2-23 "1 Peter 2:23 - Christ's Example of Suffering"). His divine silence in the face of His accusers demonstrated a perfect and supernatural control of the tongue, standing in stark contrast to humanity's pervasive propensity for destructive words. Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, Jesus not only provides complete forgiveness for our sins of speech but also, by the power of His indwelling Holy Spirit, empowers us to transform our hearts and, consequently, our words, enabling us to speak words that build up, edify, and bring grace to others, rather than tearing down [Ephesians/4-29](/ephesians/4-29 "Ephesians 4:29 - Edifying Speech"). In Christ, we are given a new nature and called to reflect His character, where our speech becomes a living testament to the transformative grace that has redeemed us, thereby fulfilling the law's deepest demand for love, even towards our closest kin and fellow members of the new covenant family [John/13-34-35](/john/13-34-35 "John 13:34-35 - The New Commandment to Love").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 10:21

And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against [their] parents, and cause them to be put to death.

Leviticus 19:16

Thou shalt not go up and down [as] a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I [am] the LORD.

Proverbs 10:18

¶ He that hideth hatred [with] lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, [is] a fool.

Revelation 12:10

And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

Psalms 31:18

Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.

Matthew 5:11

Blessed are ye, when [men] shall revile you, and persecute [you], and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

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;