Psalm 50:20
ESV
You sit and speak against your brother; you slander your own mother 's son.
NIV
You sit and testify against your brother and slander your own mother’s son.
NASB
You sit and speak against your brother; You slander your own mother’s son.
CSB
You sit, maligning your brother, slandering your mother’s son.
NLT
You sit around and slander your brother — your own mother’s son.
KJV
Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother's son.
NKJV
You sit and speak against your brother; You slander your own mother’s son.
What does Psalm 50:20 mean?
The wicked being judged by God (Psalm 50:1–6) pretended to be righteous (Psalm 50:8–9), but they were hypocritical. This psalm notes many ways in which Israel was living in deep contradiction to their claims of faith (Psalm 50:16–17). Specific examples included wallowing in lies, evil speech, and adultery (Psalm 50:18–19). Here, that evil speech extends to "slander." This type of speech is harmful as well as untrue, or at least unfair. It implies a sense of division and disruption.Because slander is lying—either literally or through distortion—it fits a prohibition given in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:16). "To bear false witness" implies claiming something about another which is not true: a common aspect of "slander." That Israel would do such things is sinful enough. To act that way towards one's own family—their "brother"—is a sign of deep depravity.
Proverbs 10:18 pronounces, "Whoever utters slander is a fool." The apostle Paul and his associates were targets of slander, but they did not retaliate. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 4:13, "when slandered, we entreat." They offered a gentle answer to false words.
Psalm 50:16–23 closes with strong criticism for hypocritical worship. Israel is being judged by God (Psalm 50:7) for offering sacrifices (Psalm 50:8) but doing so while participating in blatant sin and disobedience. Mere performance of rituals does not buy God's forgiveness. The Lord condemns the ungodly attitudes of the people and warns of dire consequences for those who do not change.
Asaph depicts God as an unimaginably glorious judge, calling the entire world to hear a divine verdict. Israel has offered sacrifices, but God ignores them. The nation rejects His laws. It is pervaded with blatant sin, even while they claim to be God's chosen people. The Lord's patience does not mean He does not notice. Those who continue ignoring Him will be "torn apart" without any possibility of rescue. Those who respond to God with sincerity will be rescued.
