Even the smallest comment can damage relationships and dishonor God.
The psalmist, identified as Asaph—who served as a chief musician in the court of King David around 1000 BC—speaks directly to the potential for divisive speech when he proclaims, “You sit and speak against your brother; you slander your own mother’s son” (v.20). By using familial imagery, the psalm addresses a situation where people tear down those to whom they are closely related or those in their own community. In biblical Israel, the concept of “brother” did not merely refer to immediate family, but extended to the covenant community bound by worship and faith, highlighting how serious the offense is when one uses words to harm someone who should be treated with love and respect. This communicates clearly that God holds His people accountable for relational harm caused by their speech.
When “you sit and speak against your brother” (v.20), the image is of a person depositing hateful or malicious words in a purposeful, ongoing manner. Such behavior stands in direct opposition to the life of holiness and fellowship the LORD intended for His people (compare with James 3 in the New Testament, which elaborates on controlling hurtful speech, and Leviticus 19:18 which commands love for one’s neighbor). In the broader message of Psalm 50, the Lord is calling out hypocrisy among worshipers who claim to honor Him in sacrifices yet fail to honor Him in their daily interactions. This should echo forward to Jesus’s teaching that how we treat others reflects true righteousness (John 13:34).
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Psalms 50:20 meaning
The psalmist, identified as Asaph—who served as a chief musician in the court of King David around 1000 BC—speaks directly to the potential for divisive speech when he proclaims, “You sit and speak against your brother; you slander your own mother’s son” (v.20). By using familial imagery, the psalm addresses a situation where people tear down those to whom they are closely related or those in their own community. In biblical Israel, the concept of “brother” did not merely refer to immediate family, but extended to the covenant community bound by worship and faith, highlighting how serious the offense is when one uses words to harm someone who should be treated with love and respect. This communicates clearly that God holds His people accountable for relational harm caused by their speech.
When “you sit and speak against your brother” (v.20), the image is of a person depositing hateful or malicious words in a purposeful, ongoing manner. Such behavior stands in direct opposition to the life of holiness and fellowship the LORD intended for His people (compare with James 3 in the New Testament, which elaborates on controlling hurtful speech, and Leviticus 19:18 which commands love for one’s neighbor). In the broader message of Psalm 50, the Lord is calling out hypocrisy among worshipers who claim to honor Him in sacrifices yet fail to honor Him in their daily interactions. This should echo forward to Jesus’s teaching that how we treat others reflects true righteousness (John 13:34).