Psalms 50:20
Psalms 50:20 in Multiple Translations
You sit and malign your brother; you slander your own mother’s son.
Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother’s son.
Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; Thou slanderest thine own mother’s son.
You say evil of your brother; you make false statements against your mother's son.
You sit there and speak against your brother, slandering your own mother's son.
Thou sittest, and speakest against thy brother, and slanderest thy mothers sonne.
Thou sittest, against thy brother thou speakest, Against a son of thy mother givest slander.
You sit and speak against your brother. You slander your own mother’s son.
Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thy own mother's son.
Deal favourably, O Lord, in thy good will with Sion; that the walls of Jerusalem may be built up.
You are always accusing members of your own family of doing wrong, and slandering them.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 50:20
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 50:20 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
תֵּ֭שֵׁב
בְּ/אָחִ֣י/ךָ
תְדַבֵּ֑ר
בְּ/בֶֽן
אִ֝מְּ/ךָ֗
תִּתֶּן
דֹּֽפִי
תֵּ֭שֵׁב
yâshab
H3427
to dwell
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
בְּ/אָחִ֣י/ךָ
ʼâch
H251
brother
Prep | N-ms | Suff
תְדַבֵּ֑ר
dâbar
H1696
to speak
V-Piel-Imperf-2ms
בְּ/בֶֽן
bên
H1121
son
Prep | N-ms
אִ֝מְּ/ךָ֗
ʼêm
H517
mother
N-fs | Suff
תִּתֶּן
nâthan
H5414
to give
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
דֹּֽפִי
dophîy
H1848
slander
N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 50:20
תֵּ֭שֵׁב
yâshab
H3427
"to dwell"
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
This verb means to sit or dwell, and can also mean to remain or abide. It's used in the Bible to describe people living in a place or staying with someone, like in the book of Genesis.
Definition: 1) to dwell, remain, sit, abide 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to sit, sit down 1a2) to be set 1a3) to remain, stay 1a4) to dwell, have one's abode 1b) (Niphal) to be inhabited 1c) (Piel) to set, place 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to sit 1d2) to cause to abide, set 1d3) to cause to dwell 1d4) to cause (cities) to be inhabited 1d5) to marry (give an dwelling to) 1e) (Hophal) 1e1) to be inhabited 1e2) to make to dwell Aramaic equivalent: ye.tiv (יְתִב "to dwell" H3488)
Usage: Occurs in 977 OT verses. KJV: (make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, [idiom] fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, [idiom] marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(-tle), (down-) sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry. See also: Genesis 4:16; Leviticus 25:18; Joshua 13:6.
בְּ/אָחִ֣י/ךָ
ʼâch
H251
"brother"
Prep | N-ms | Suff
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means a brother or male sibling, but it can also refer to a close relative, friend, or someone with a similar relationship. It is used to describe the bond between brothers, like the relationship between Cain and Abel in Genesis.
Definition: : male-sibling 1) brother 1a) brother of same parents 1b) half-brother (same father) 1c) relative, kinship, same tribe 1d) each to the other (reciprocal relationship) 1e) (fig.) of resemblance
Usage: Occurs in 572 OT verses. KJV: another, brother(-ly); kindred, like, other. Compare also the proper names beginning with 'Ah-' or 'Ahi-'. See also: Genesis 4:2; Genesis 42:13; Numbers 25:6.
תְדַבֵּ֑ר
dâbar
H1696
"to speak"
V-Piel-Imperf-2ms
To speak or communicate, like God speaking to Moses in Exodus or a king commanding his people. It can also mean to promise or warn someone.
Definition: : speak/tell/command 1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing 1a) (Qal) to speak 1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to speak 1c2) to promise 1d) (Pual) to be spoken 1e) (Hithpael) to speak 1f) (Hiphil) to lead away, put to flight
Usage: Occurs in 1049 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work. See also: Genesis 8:15; Exodus 12:25; Leviticus 23:9.
בְּ/בֶֽן
bên
H1121
"son"
Prep | N-ms
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
אִ֝מְּ/ךָ֗
ʼêm
H517
"mother"
N-fs | Suff
The Hebrew word for 'mother' is used in the Bible to describe a female parent or a maternal figure. It can also refer to the source or origin of something, such as a river or a family. In some cases, it is used figuratively to describe a person's relationship to others.
Definition: 1) mother 1a) of humans 1b) of Deborah's relationship to the people (fig.) 1c) of animals 2) point of departure or division
Usage: Occurs in 202 OT verses. KJV: dam, mother, [idiom] parting. See also: Genesis 2:24; 2 Kings 4:19; Psalms 22:10.
תִּתֶּן
nâthan
H5414
"to give"
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.
Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon
Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.
דֹּֽפִי
dophîy
H1848
"slander"
N-ms
Dophiy refers to a stumbling block or slander, which can cause someone to sin or be hurt. It is like a blemish or fault that can damage a person's reputation. This idea is found in the book of Leviticus.
Definition: a blemish, fault
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: slanderest. See also: Psalms 50:20.
Study Notes — Psalms 50:20
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 50:20 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 50:20
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 50:20
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 50:20
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 50:20
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 50:20
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 50:20
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 50:20
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 50:20
- Sermons on Psalms 50:20
Context — The Mighty One Calls
18When you see a thief, you befriend him, and throw in your lot with adulterers.
19You unleash your mouth for evil and harness your tongue to deceit.
20You sit and malign your brother; you slander your own mother’s son.
21You 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. 22Now consider this, you who forget God, lest I tear you to pieces, with no one to rescue you:Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matthew 10:21 | Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rise against their parents and have them put to death. |
| 2 | Proverbs 10:18 | The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool. |
| 3 | Leviticus 19:16 | You must not go about spreading slander among your people. You must not endanger the life of your neighbor. I am the LORD. |
| 4 | Revelation 12:10 | And I heard a loud voice in heaven saying: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of His Christ. For the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down— he who accuses them day and night before our God. |
| 5 | Psalms 31:18 | May lying lips be silenced— lips that speak with arrogance against the righteous, full of pride and contempt. |
| 6 | Matthew 5:11 | Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. |
| 7 | 1 Timothy 3:11 | In the same way, the women must be dignified, not slanderers, but temperate and faithful in all things. |
| 8 | Titus 2:3 | Older women, likewise, are to be reverent in their behavior, not slanderers or addicted to much wine, but teachers of good. |
| 9 | Luke 22:65 | And they said many other blasphemous things against Him. |
Psalms 50:20 Summary
Psalms 50:20 warns us against speaking badly about others, especially those close to us like family members. This kind of talk is hurtful and sinful, as also mentioned in Ephesians 4:31. We should strive to speak kindly and truthfully, remembering that our words have the power to build up or tear down others, as seen in Proverbs 12:18 and Ephesians 4:29. By choosing to speak in a way that honors God, we can create a more positive and loving environment for those around us.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to malign someone?
To malign someone means to speak negatively or falsely about them, which is a sin according to Psalms 50:20 and also warned against in Ephesians 4:31 where we are told to put away slander.
Why is it significant that the verse mentions a person's own mother's son?
The mention of a person's own mother's son emphasizes the close relationship and the severity of the sin of slandering someone so closely related, as seen in Psalms 50:20, and reminds us of the importance of treating family members with love and respect as taught in Ephesians 6:1-4.
How does this verse relate to my everyday life?
This verse reminds us to be mindful of our words and how they affect others, as stated in Psalms 50:20, and to strive to speak kindly and truthfully, as encouraged in Colossians 4:6 and Ephesians 4:29.
What is the consequence of such behavior according to the surrounding verses?
According to Psalms 50:21-22, if we continue in such sinful behavior, thinking God is like us or unaware, He will rebuke and accuse us, and we risk facing His judgment with no rescue, emphasizing the importance of repentance and obedience as seen in Psalms 51:1-19.
Reflection Questions
- In what ways do I speak negatively about others, and how can I change this behavior to honor God?
- How do my words affect those closest to me, such as family members, and what can I do to speak more kindly and truthfully to them?
- What are some common situations where I am tempted to malign or slander others, and how can I prepare myself to respond in a godly way in those situations?
- How can I balance honesty with kindness when speaking about others, and what role does love play in my communication?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 50:20
Thou sittest,.... Either in the chair of Moses, or on the seat of judgment, in the great sanhedrim of the nation; or, as Aben Ezra paraphrases it, "in the seat of the scornful"; [and] speakest
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 50:20
Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother's son. Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 50:20
Thou dost not only speak evil in a sudden passion, or upon some great provocation, but this is thy constant and deliberate practice and business, which thou dost pursue with great facility and complacency; all which this phrase implies. Thy brother; strictly so called, as the next clause explains it; which is a great aggravation of the sin, and a proof of his inveterate and obstinate wickedness. Thou slanderest; takest away his good name, which is better than all riches; yea, than life itself; which is contrary to my express and oft-repeated commands.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 50:20
Psalms 50:20 Thou sittest [and] speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother’ s son.Ver. 20. Thou sittest] In the seat of the scornful, on the ale bench, &c. And speakest against thy brother] Thy slanderous tongue, like a mad dog, biteth all it meeteth with; not thy near allies excepted: so inhuman are hypocrites.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 50:20
(20) Sittest.—Rather, as in Psalms 10:8; Psalms 17:12, lurkest. Slanderest.—Literally, givest a thrust; but, from the parallelism, used of words that often hurt more than blows.Mother’s son.—In a country where polygamy was practised, this marks a closer relationship than the more general “brother” would do. (See Son 1:6, Note.)
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 50:20
20. Thou sittest emphasises the deliberateness of the slander. Cp. “the session of scorners,” i. 1. Thy brother might mean any Israelite; but the alternative thine own mother’s son (cp. Psalms 69:8, note) in the parallel line indicates that it is to be understood literally. The Psalmist describes a state of moral degeneracy in which even the closest ties of kinship are ignored. Cp. Micah 7:6; Jeremiah 9:4. thou slanderest] Lit. dost allege a fault against. This rendering suits the parallelism, but the phrase (which occurs here only) is of uncertain meaning, and may mean givest a thrust against (R.V. marg.), or, settest a stumbling block for.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 50:20
Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother - To the general character of falsehood and slander there is now added the fact that they were guilty of this in the most aggravated manner conceivable -
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 50:20
20. Thou… speakest against—In Psalms 50:19 they are seen framing “deceit,” now it comes out into public slander. Thine own mother’s son—In polygamous countries brothers have not always the same mother.
Sermons on Psalms 50:20
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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How Our Suffering Glorifies God by John Piper | This sermon emphasizes the call to embrace suffering for the sake of Christ, highlighting the need to endure persecution and hardships in order to display the glory of God's grace. |
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Separated From Our Loved Ones by Keith Daniel | This sermon delves into the fearful possibility of separation from loved ones, both in this life and for eternity, emphasizing the consequences of rejecting God and the need for si |
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Why Do So Many Fail & Give Up? by Peter Hammond | Peter Hammond preaches on the challenges and sacrifices required to follow Jesus, emphasizing the need for self-denial, perseverance, and total surrender to God. He highlights the |
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Evil-Speaking by Samuel Logan Brengle | Samuel Logan Brengle emphasizes the divine command to 'speak evil of no man' as outlined in Titus 3:2, warning that failing to adhere to this command leads to numerous spiritual ev |
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Some Indirect Ways of Lying by J.R. Miller | J.R. Miller addresses the various forms of untruthfulness, emphasizing that lies can be conveyed through tone, emphasis, and even statistics. He categorizes lies into three types: |
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Weighed and Found Wanting by John Hames | John Hames preaches about the downfall of King Belshazzar in Babylon, emphasizing the divine judgment that came upon him for his arrogance and desecration of sacred vessels. The se |
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All Authority by F.J. Huegel | In this sermon, the speaker recounts the story of General Wainwright, who was a dying man in a concentration camp. One day, a colonel from the Allied forces arrived in a little pla |