Psalms 50:21

KJV

These [things] hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether [such an one] as thyself: [but] I will reprove thee, and set [them] in order before thine eyes.

KJV (with Strong's)

These things hast thou done {H6213}{H8804)}, and I kept silence {H2790}{H8689)}; thou thoughtest {H1819}{H8765)} that I was altogether {H1961}{H8800)} such an one as thyself: but I will reprove {H3198}{H8686)} thee, and set them in order {H6186}{H8799)} before thine eyes {H5869}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When you do such things, should I stay silent? You may have thought I was just like you; but I will rebuke and indict you to your face.

Berean Standard Bible

You have done these things, and I kept silent; you thought I was just like you. But now I rebuke you and accuse you to your face.

American Standard Version

These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; Thou thoughtest that I was altogether such a one as thyself: ButI will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 50:21 presents a stark divine confrontation, revealing God's profound indictment against those who practice outward religious forms while harboring inward corruption. The verse exposes the dangerous spiritual delusion of individuals who, misinterpreting God's patient forbearance as indifference or implicit approval, project their own sinful nature onto the Almighty. It culminates in God's solemn declaration that He will actively "reprove" them, meticulously bringing their hidden transgressions and false assumptions to light, thereby unequivocally establishing His true character as perfectly holy, just, and omniscient.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 50 functions as a powerful prophetic oracle, structured as a divine lawsuit (often termed a "rib" pattern) where God acts as the supreme judge, summoning all of creation to witness His case against His covenant people, Israel. The psalm commences with a majestic depiction of God's appearance from Zion, establishing His absolute authority before He delivers a two-part judgment. The initial segment (verses 7-15) addresses those who diligently offer sacrifices but lack genuine thanksgiving and obedience, clarifying that God does not require their offerings for His sustenance but desires a "sacrifice of thanksgiving" and the fulfillment of vows. The latter part (verses 16-23), which includes verse 21, specifically targets the wicked and hypocritical—those who intellectually know God's laws but flagrantly disregard them in their daily lives, engaging in theft, adultery, and slander. Psalms 50:21 serves as the climactic accusation, pinpointing their fundamental misapprehension of God's character and their presumptuousness stemming from His perceived "silence."
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** This psalm is deeply embedded in the Israelite covenant tradition, which defined God's unique relationship with His people through divine law and promise. The elaborate sacrificial system was the cornerstone of Israelite worship, designed as a means of expressing repentance, gratitude, and communion with God. However, a recurring theme throughout the prophetic literature is the danger of reducing these sacred rituals to mere formalism, detached from genuine heart transformation or ethical living. Prophets such as [Isaiah](/isaiah/1 "Isaiah 1 - The Great Arraignment") and [Amos](/amos/5 "Amos 5 - A Call to Seek the Lord") frequently denounced this disconnect between ritualistic observance and righteous conduct, emphasizing that God prioritizes justice and mercy over empty sacrifices (e.g., [Isaiah 1:11-17](/isaiah/1-11-17 "Isaiah 1:11-17 - God's Displeasure with Empty Rituals") and [Amos 5:21-24](/amos/5-21-24 "Amos 5:21-24 - Let Justice Roll Down")). The courtroom imagery prevalent in Psalms 50 reflects ancient Near Eastern legal proceedings, where a judge would preside over a case, present evidence, and render a verdict. The accusation that the wicked believed God was "altogether such an one as thyself" vividly illustrates a common human propensity to project one's own values, moral failings, or indifference onto the divine, thereby failing to grasp God's transcendent holiness and moral perfection.
* **Key Themes:** Psalms 50:21 profoundly articulates several overarching themes central to the psalm and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully underscores the theme of **Divine Judgment and Accountability**, asserting that God is not a passive observer but an active, righteous judge who will hold His people fully accountable for their actions and the true condition of their hearts. Secondly, it highlights the crucial distinction between **True Worship and Superficial Ritual**, arguing that outward acts of piety are utterly meaningless if they are not accompanied by inward obedience and a genuine, heartfelt relationship with God, a truth echoed in [1 Samuel 15:22](/1_Samuel/15-22 "1 Samuel 15:22 - Obedience is Better Than Sacrifice"). Thirdly, the verse directly confronts the profound danger of **Misconceptions of God's Character**. The wicked mistakenly interpret God's patience as approval or ignorance, revealing a fundamental failure to grasp His holiness, justice, and omniscience. Finally, it speaks to the theme of **God's Omniscience and Revelation**, affirming that God sees all hidden deeds and motives, and that He will ultimately bring all things to light, exposing truth and dispelling falsehoods, as seen throughout the prophetic warnings against hypocrisy.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **silence (Hebrew, _chârash'_):** The Hebrew verb H2790 (_chârash_) means "to scratch, i.e. (by implication) to engrave, plough; hence (from the use of tools) to fabricate (of any material); figuratively, to devise (in a bad sense); hence (from the idea of secrecy) to be silent, to let alone; hence (by implication) to be deaf." In this context, it specifically refers to God's deliberate act of "keeping silence" or "holding peace." This signifies His patient forbearance and His restraint from immediate judgment or intervention. It is not an indication of ignorance, indifference, or approval of sin, but rather a period of grace, tragically misinterpreted by the wicked as tacit consent or absence of divine concern.
* **thoughtest (Hebrew, _dâmâh'_):** The Hebrew verb H1819 (_dâmâh_) is a primitive root meaning "to compare; by implication, to resemble, liken, consider." Here, it describes the wicked's profound error in judgment: they "thought" or "imagined" God to be comparable to themselves. This implies a projection of their own corrupt, morally compromised, and sin-tolerant nature onto the holy God, failing to recognize His absolute distinctness and moral perfection. Their thinking was a fundamental miscalculation of divine character.
* **reprove (Hebrew, _yâkach'_):** The Hebrew verb H3198 (_yâkach_) means "to be right (i.e. correct); reciprocal, to argue; causatively, to decide, justify or convict." In a legal or judicial context, it implies a forceful presentation of truth, a confrontation designed to bring about conviction and a recognition of guilt. God's promise to "reprove" signifies His decisive act of exposing their wrong, correcting their false assumptions, and establishing His truth and justice, often leading to a verdict.
* **set in order (Hebrew, _ʿârak'_):** The Hebrew verb H6186 (_ʿârak_) means "to set in a row, i.e. arrange, put in order (in a very wide variety of applications)." In a judicial setting, it refers to the act of presenting a case, laying out evidence, or arranging charges. Here, it vividly portrays God meticulously presenting the full catalogue of their sins, their hidden motives, and their false assumptions before their very eyes, making denial impossible and the truth undeniable. It is a precise and systematic unveiling of their transgressions.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"These [things] hast thou done, and I kept silence":** This clause establishes God's omniscient awareness of the wicked's actions—their hypocrisy, theft, adultery, and slander, as detailed in the preceding verses (Psalms 50:17-20). God declares that despite their transgressions, He has remained "silent," signifying His patient restraint and long-suffering, refraining from immediate punitive action. This silence is a deliberate act of divine patience, not a sign of unawareness or approval, but an opportunity for repentance.
* **"thou thoughtest that I was altogether [such an one] as thyself":** This is the core accusation and the root of their profound spiritual blindness. The wicked have fundamentally misunderstood God's nature, projecting their own corrupt, morally compromised, and sin-tolerant character onto Him. They imagined God to be indifferent to their inward moral decay, easily deceived by outward piety, or willing to overlook their unrighteousness just as they might overlook their own or others' sins. This reveals a grave theological error and a profound insult to God's holy and righteous character, implying a lack of distinction between the Creator and the created.
* **"[but] I will reprove thee, and set [them] in order before thine eyes":** This concluding declaration is God's solemn promise of impending judgment and revelation. The "but" signals a dramatic shift from His past silence to future, decisive action. God will "reprove" them, meaning He will confront them judicially, convicting them of their sin and dispelling their false assumptions about Him. To "set [them] in order before thine eyes" means He will meticulously lay out their transgressions, their hidden motives, and His true character in an undeniable, inescapable manner, forcing them to confront the reality of their deeds and His absolute holiness.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 50:21 employs several potent **Literary Devices** to convey its message with striking force. The most prominent device is a strong **Legal Metaphor**, casting God as the righteous judge presiding over a divine courtroom, meticulously presenting evidence and delivering an irrefutable verdict. The terms "reprove" and "set in order" are drawn directly from legal proceedings, emphasizing the formal, undeniable, and comprehensive nature of God's coming judgment. There is also a significant use of **Anthropomorphism** in the phrase "I kept silence," attributing a human characteristic (silence) to God, not to imply human limitation but to convey His deliberate, patient observation and restraint. The verse further contains profound **Irony**: the wicked believe God is like them—indifferent to sin or easily appeased by outward show—when in reality, He is diametrically opposite, perfectly holy and just. This stark contrast powerfully highlights their spiritual blindness and self-deception. Finally, the verse utilizes **Direct Address** ("thou," "thine eyes") to create a deeply personal and confrontational tone, underscoring the direct and inescapable accountability of the individual before God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 50:21 stands as a profound theological statement on the immutable nature of God and the pervasive human tendency to distort His character. It unequivocally affirms God's absolute holiness, omniscience, and unyielding justice, challenging any notion that He is indifferent to sin or can be manipulated by outward displays of religiosity. The verse serves as a crucial warning against spiritual hypocrisy, reminding all believers that true worship stems from an authentic, transformed heart, not merely from ritualistic observance. It underscores the foundational biblical truth that God sees beyond outward appearances into the deepest motives of the heart, and that His patience is a gracious call to repentance, never an excuse for continued sin. This divine reproof, though stern and confrontational, is ultimately an act of God's perfect righteousness, intended to expose truth, dispel falsehoods, and bring about a right and reverent understanding of His majestic and holy being.

* [Romans 2:4](/romans/2-4 "Romans 2:4 - God's Kindness Leads to Repentance")
* [Hebrews 4:13](/hebrews/4-13 "Hebrews 4:13 - All Things Exposed to God")
* [1 Samuel 16:7](/1_Samuel/16-7 "1 Samuel 16:7 - God Sees the Heart")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 50:21 presents a timeless and piercing challenge to self-deception and superficial faith. It compels us to rigorously examine the authenticity of our spiritual lives, prompting us to ask whether our outward expressions of piety are genuinely rooted in a heart transformed by God's truth, or if we, like those in the psalm, are merely going through the motions. This verse confronts the dangerous tendency to project our own moral compromises onto a God we imagine to be tolerant of our unrighteousness. It serves as a sober reminder that God's patience is never an endorsement of our sin but rather a profound invitation to repentance and genuine transformation. We are called to live with the profound awareness that nothing is hidden from His all-seeing eye, and that a day of reckoning will inevitably come when all things—including the secret thoughts, intentions, and hidden deeds of our hearts—will be laid bare before Him. This understanding should cultivate within us a deep reverence for God's holiness and motivate us to pursue unwavering integrity, ensuring that our private lives align seamlessly with our public profession of faith, thereby fostering a worship that is truly "in spirit and in truth."

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How might we, like those in Psalm 50, inadvertently project our own flaws or desires onto God, creating a deity in our own image rather than worshipping Him as He truly is?**
* **In what specific areas of our lives might we be performing outward religious acts (e.g., church attendance, prayer, giving) while neglecting inward transformation or ethical living?**
* **How does understanding God's ultimate justice and omniscience, as powerfully revealed in this verse, motivate us to live with greater authenticity, integrity, and genuine reverence before Him?**

### FAQ
**What does "I kept silence" mean in this verse?**

Answer: "I kept silence" (Hebrew _chârash'_) does not mean God was unaware, indifferent, or approving of their actions. Rather, it signifies His patient forbearance and deliberate restraint from immediate judgment or punitive action. It was a period of grace, allowing the wicked time to repent and turn from their ways. Tragically, they misinterpreted this divine patience as a sign that God either didn't see their sins or didn't care about them, leading to a false sense of security and a deepening of their hypocrisy. This concept is echoed in [Romans 2:4](/romans/2-4 "Romans 2:4 - God's Kindness Leads to Repentance"), which states that God's kindness is intended to lead us to repentance, not to excuse sin.

**Why did the wicked think God was "altogether [such an one] as thyself"?**

Answer: This phrase reveals a profound spiritual blindness and a grave theological error. The wicked projected their own corrupt nature, their own indifference to sin, and their own willingness to compromise onto God. They imagined God to be like a human judge who could be bribed, deceived, or who simply didn't care about their inward moral decay as long as outward religious formalities were observed. They failed to grasp God's transcendent holiness, His perfect justice, and His absolute moral purity. This misconception is a direct affront to God's character, as He is utterly distinct from sinful humanity and cannot be likened to their fallen state.

**What is the significance of God promising to "reprove thee, and set [them] in order before thine eyes"?**

Answer: This signifies God's decisive and undeniable act of judgment. "Reprove" (Hebrew _yâkach'_) carries a strong judicial connotation, meaning to convict, rebuke, or expose the truth. God is promising to confront them directly with their guilt, making it impossible for them to deny their transgressions or their false assumptions about Him. To "set [them] in order" (Hebrew _ʿârak'_) means God will meticulously lay out all their hidden sins and the evidence of their hypocrisy before their very eyes, in a clear, organized, and irrefutable manner. This speaks to the ultimate accountability before God, where nothing is hidden, as stated in [Hebrews 4:13](/hebrews/4-13 "Hebrews 4:13 - All Things Exposed to God"), and where every person will give an account for their deeds.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 50:21 finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound resolution in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "silence" of God, which the wicked in the psalm so tragically misinterpreted, finds its most complete and gracious echo in the patient, long-suffering character of God perfectly revealed in Christ, who "did not come to condemn the world, but to save the world" ([John 3:17](/john/3-17 "John 3:17 - Purpose of Jesus' Coming")). Yet, Jesus also embodies the divine "reproof" and the ultimate "setting in order" of all things. He is the one who perfectly reveals the Father's true character, dispelling all human misconceptions that God is like us in our sinfulness ([John 14:9](/john/14-9 "John 14:9 - Seeing the Father"), [Colossians 1:15](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15 - Image of the Invisible God")). Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus consistently exposed the hypocrisy of religious leaders, "reproving" them for their outward piety masking inward corruption, most notably in [Matthew 23](/matthew/23 "Matthew 23 - Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees")). Ultimately, Christ is appointed by the Father as the righteous Judge, before whom all things will be "set in order" at the final judgment, where every hidden deed and thought will be laid bare ([John 5:22](/john/5-22 "John 5:22 - The Father Judges No One"), [Revelation 20:11-15](/revelation/20-11-15 "Revelation 20:11-15 - The Great White Throne Judgment")). His atoning sacrifice on the cross addresses the very sin of misrepresenting God and living hypocritically, offering the only path to true worship "in spirit and truth" ([John 4:23-24](/john/4-23-24 "John 4:23-24 - True Worship")), thereby fulfilling the psalmist's longing for authentic righteousness before a holy God.

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

Romans 2:4

Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

Romans 2:5

But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;

Isaiah 57:11

And of whom hast thou been afraid or feared, that thou hast lied, and hast not remembered me, nor laid [it] to thy heart? have not I held my peace even of old, and thou fearest me not?

Proverbs 29:1

¶ He, that being often reproved hardeneth [his] neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

Psalms 94:7

Yet they say, The LORD shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard [it].

Psalms 94:11

The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they [are] vanity.

Ecclesiastes 8:11

Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.