Bible Strands
Psalms 73:15
If I had said, “I will speak this way,” then I would have betrayed Your children.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The psalmist speaks to God while confronting the temptation to voice a complaint that would align him with the ungodly. He recognizes that uttering such a thought at this moment would sever his loyalty to God's people.
The words — אֲסַפְּרָה ('a.sa.pe.Rah) means "I will recount" or "I will speak," and כְמוֹ (khe.Mo) means "like" or "in this manner." The psalmist treats this hypothetical declaration as a direct breach of covenant faithfulness to God's descendants.
The thread — The warning against misleading God's people runs through Malachi 2:8 and Matthew 18:6, where corrupt instruction or causing the faithful to stumble is condemned. This aligns with Psalms 24:6, which identifies the community defined by those who seek God's face.
Why it lands — The text requires a reader to choose silence over a statement that would fracture covenant loyalty, even when personal affliction demands an outlet. It demands that preserving the integrity of God's people outweighs the relief of voicing a complaint.
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
If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.
Cross-references
- Psalms 24:6 Such is the generation of those who seek Him, who seek Your face, O God of Jacob. Selah
- Malachi 2:8 But you have departed from the way, and your instruction has caused many to stumble. You have violated the covenant of Levi,” says the LORD of Hosts.
- Matthew 18:6 But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.
- Romans 14:15 If your brother is distressed by what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother, for whom Christ died.
- Psalms 14:5 There they are, overwhelmed with dread, for God is in the company of the righteous.
- Psalms 22:30 Posterity will serve Him; they will declare the Lord to a new generation.
- Romans 14:21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything to cause your brother to stumble.
- 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
- 1 Samuel 2:24 No, my sons; it is not a good report I hear circulating among the LORD’s people.
- 1 Corinthians 8:11 So this weak brother, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge.