Psalms 50:20

Psalms 50:20

Verse 20 continues the indictment of social harm: “Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother’s son.” The lament moves from internal deceit to public slander aimed at one’s own kin or fellow Israelites. Slandering a brother or sister damages community trust and undermines the social fabric of covenant life. The psalmist singles out the hypocrisy of those who condemn others while living in moral inconsistency themselves. The cultural emphasis on honor, reputation, and familial ties makes this sin particularly corrosive. The verse calls for social integrity within the community and points to the broader biblical principle that harm done by speech to those within the covenant family is a grave offense.

Themes:

- The sacredness of reputation within covenant community.

- The seriousness of slander and malicious gossip.

- The ethical expectation that speech should build up rather than destroy.

This connects to passages like Leviticus 19:16 and James 4:11, which condemn harmful speech about others.

Practical steps:

- Avoid gossip; if you hear harmful talk, redirect or object in love.

- Guard your own words about family and friends, especially in group settings.

- Seek reconciliation when conflicts arise instead of sharing them to others’ harm.

- If wrongfully accused, respond with truth and grace.

Cross-References: Leviticus 19:16; Proverbs 11:13; James 4:11; Ephesians 4:29