Bible Strands
Psalms 101:5
Whoever slanders his neighbor in secret, I will put to silence; the one with haughty eyes and a proud heart, I will not endure.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The psalmist outlines his personal standard for leadership, declaring that a perverse heart will depart from him and that he will only retain those who walk in integrity. The verse functions as a judicial decree within a ruler's prayer, establishing who may remain in his court and who must be removed.
The words — מְלָשְׁנִי (me.la.she.Ni) literally means "[one who] slanders," modified by the phrase בַסֵּתֶר (va./Se.ter) meaning "in secrecy." The verb אַצְמִית ('atz.Mit) translates to "I will destroy," and the noun phrase גְּבַהּ עֵינַיִם (ge.vah-'Ei.na.yim) denotes "the haughty of eyes."
The thread — The rejection of secret slander parallels the requirements in Psalms 15:3, while the opposition to arrogant looks aligns with the divine action in Psalms 18:27 and Jesus' teaching in Luke 18:14. These passages consistently link external arrogance and covert speech with divine or judicial removal.
Why it lands — The text demands the active removal of individuals who engage in covert defamation or display arrogant attitudes from any sphere of authority. It requires readers to evaluate leadership and community standards based on observable conduct rather than reputation or status.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.
Cross-references
- Psalms 15:3 who has no slander on his tongue, who does no harm to his neighbor, who casts no scorn on his friend,
- Psalms 18:27 For You save an afflicted people, but You humble those with haughty eyes.
- Luke 18:14 I tell you, this man, rather than the Pharisee, went home justified. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
- 1 Corinthians 5:11 But now I am writing you not to associate with anyone who claims to be a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a verbal abuser, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.
- Psalms 50:20 You sit and malign your brother; you slander your own mother’s son.
- Proverbs 6:16 There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to Him:
- Proverbs 20:19 He who reveals secrets is a constant gossip; avoid the one who babbles with his lips.
- Proverbs 30:13 There is a generation—how haughty are their eyes and pretentious are their glances—
- Obadiah 1:3 The pride of your heart has deceived you, O dwellers in the clefts of the rocks whose habitation is the heights, who say in your heart, ‘Who can bring me down to the ground?’
- Titus 2:3 Older women, likewise, are to be reverent in their behavior, not slanderers or addicted to much wine, but teachers of good.