Definition: Thou sittest [and] speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own motherâs son.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Psalm 50:20. It's a really powerful and uncomfortable one, and it speaks about hurt and betrayal. Here’s the explanation in simpler terms: The Basic Situation: The verse describes someone who is actively saying hurtful things to their brother and even criticizing his mother’s son. It suggests a deep sense of anger and resentment. Let's unpack it piece by piece: "Thou sittest [and] speakest against thy brother..." - This tells us the person is sitting (or standing) and speaking – making statements. It also says they are doing this against their brother. It’s a direct challenge to him. "...and thou slanderest thine own mother's son." - This is the key part. “Slander” means to lie or speak falsely about someone. "Thy own mother’s son" refers to a person who is close to the speaker, likely their sibling. So, they are saying something untrue – maybe criticizing his character, his abilities, or his worth. Overall Meaning - It's about Hurt and Betrayal: This verse paints a picture of someone who is deeply hurt by another person’s actions. They are expressing anger and resentment towards their brother and, crucially, they are also speaking negatively about someone connected to him (his mother’s son). It suggests a sense of betrayal – the speaker has caused harm or damaged trust in a way that's really painful. Why is this verse significant? It speaks to our emotions: It shows us that feeling hurt and angry can lead to hurtful words. It’s about accountability: It highlights the importance of being kind and truthful with those we care about. It's a reminder to forgive: The verse implies a need for forgiveness – perhaps for the speaker themselves, or for the person they’ve wronged. In short, this verse is a stark warning against speaking falsely and causing harm to others. It's a call to be mindful of our words and to strive for honesty and compassion. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of Psalm 50? Discuss the context of the verse in more detail (like its time period)?