Psalm 50 (49):20Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Envy breeds the former, while the latter arises from indifference; failing to restrain someone on the brink of falling stems from insensitivity, while toppling one who stands tall is rooted in envy. Notice that he doesn’t simply depict a slanderer but one who acts with cunning and deceit: "sitting," he says, "against thy brother thou hast slandered." Though Cain terminated the life of his brother, these individuals, through their slander, seek to ruin many, especially themselves. Truly, they injure not only the one they malign but also others, or rather, those who accept their slights. Indeed, the one who hears false accusations against himself suffers no real harm and may even earn greater rewards. It is not he who endures slander but rather he who commits the act who deserves punishment, unless the one who hears has given cause for such condemnation. Therefore, let us strive not to be overly concerned with hearing negativity about ourselves, for such avoidance is impossible, as Christ warned: "Woe to you when all men speak well of you" (Luke 6:26). Instead, let us ensure we do not provide grounds for such slander. Those who desire universal praise often endanger their souls, nurturing a love for human acclaim, making improper favors to please others, striving for their approval. Conversely, one who disregards unflattering opinions may also lead himself to ruin. Just as it is inconceivable for the virtuous to expect universal commendation, it is equally impossible for the one who offers numerous reasons for disdain to escape criticism. If, despite your upright conduct, there are still those who speak ill of you, a greater reward awaits you, akin to that of the apostles and other noble figures. However, it must be acknowledged that even when reviled for matters of no personal fault, we should not scorn the reviler or the harm caused but rather take prudent steps to dispel false rumors. Thus, Paul, in matters of finances, dispatched others to collect provisions for the needy (1 Cor. 16:3), providing the rationale: "Beware lest we should be censured by any one for such an abundance of offerings" (2 Cor. 8:20). Aware that others may be ensnared, he did not dismiss the issue; instead, he proactively sought to eliminate potential temptation. He further states: "If food tempt my brother, I will eat no meat forever, lest I tempt my brother" (1 Cor. 8:13). Although these matters are neutral, if they present a temptation, I prioritize the salvation of those who are vulnerable, despite my own immunity to harm. If the cost of accommodating others exceeds the benefit of salvation, then we need not focus on the tempted; yet, if not, we must not disregard them. Let this serve as our guiding principle: discerning when to neglect the tempted and when not to do so. For instance, many were led astray by the assumption that Paul did not adhere to the law, resulting in thousands faltering in their faith. How did he respond? In an effort to quell their doubts, valuing the salvation of so many, he did not permit them to retain the belief that he disregarded the law, which was of utmost importance. Conversely, individuals found offense in his proclamation of the Crucified One (1 Cor. 1:23), yet in this instance, he paid no heed to those tempted, as the value of the gospel far outweighed their concerns. This was also true for Christ. When He taught on matters of consumption and some were offended by His words: "Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man, but what comes out" (Matthew 15:11), and noted how every plant not maturing from the Father will be uprooted (Matthew 15:13). When challenged about the payment of taxes, knowing He owed nothing, He chose to act humbly, saying: "lest we should entice them, go to the sea, cast a hook, and the first fish you catch, open its mouth and you will find a coin; take it and give it to them for Me and yourself" (Matt. 17:27). Although He delivered profound teachings and they remained unhealed, He acted justly by ignoring them and rendering the old law void; and when they were yet incapable of grasping His true identity, He graciously stooped to their level, using the tax payment to veil His divine nature. "Sitting (in assembly) against thy brother thou didst slander." Do you claim this was for correction? Yet, to rectify, you ought to have privately addressed the issue, as Christ instructed. Public slander often incites greater obstinacy in the wrongdoer. Many sinful individuals, sensing the prospect of remaining unnoticed, more easily resolve to amend their ways; however, once they perceive the loss of goodwill, despair may befall them, pushing them into degradation. But are you offended by such acts? Why then compound your offense? The vengeful raise the sword against themselves. If you truly desire to benefit yourself while avenging your grievance, then speak well of the one who has wronged you, transforming many into his accusers instead of yourself, gaining a great reward in return. Yet, if you speak poorly, your words may be met with suspicion, undercutting your intentions. Your efforts end up harming you. While aiming to tarnish his reputation, the outcome invariably turns in the opposite direction, as honor is reclaimed through praise rather than censure. Thus, as you see, speaking ill of others only brings greater disgrace upon yourself, failing to affect your target. Hatred impairs the souls of listeners, repelling them from accepting your words, much like how a legal objection can undermine everything. Likewise, suspicion of malice clouds understanding. Therefore, refrain from slander to avoid tainting yourself; don't mix filth with the pure, but instead cultivate the beauty of flowers. Do not bear excrement in your speech like insects; this is what slanderers do, causing themselves the first discomfort. Instead, hold on to the fragrance of blossoms and produce sweetness as bees do. Those who spread discord are shunned as one might steer clear of something repugnant, while the one with a gracious tongue is welcomed as a friend, brother, son, or father. Yet, why do I dwell on present judgments and opinions? Consider the terrifying day of incorruptible judgment, where your deceptive words contribute to your sinful inventory. "I tell you," the Lord declares, "that for every idle word that men speak, they shall give an account in the day of judgment" (Matt. 12:36). Even should the content of your words be righteous, you will not evade condemnation for laying bare your neighbor's misfortunes. Reflect on the Pharisee; though he was not a public sinner, he became more sinful than the tax collector by speaking a contemptuous word. In contrast, the tax collector, though not a Pharisee, became more justified through his self-condemnation.

We are swift to accuse and eager to cast judgment. Even if we were guilty of no other wrongdoing, such actions alone can lead us to destruction, casting us into Gehenna and bringing upon us countless troubles. To help you comprehend this matter, heed the prophet’s warning, “Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother, against the son of thy mother thou slanderest.” But you claim it was not you, but someone else. No, it is you. If you had remained silent, the other would not have heard; and if you had heard, you would not be guilty of sin. The shortcomings of others should be kept private and concealed; yet, under the guise of goodwill, you expose them, becoming, at best, a gossiper or fool. How dreadful! In doing so, you shame yourself alongside the one you criticize, and do you not sense this? Examine the multitude of evils birthed from this: you provoke God’s wrath, distress your neighbor, and place your own soul in jeopardy.

A brother who turns against another diminishes his standing, much like when a strong, knowledgeable physician belittles his sibling, who, despite being well-educated and wise, is weaker; the stronger brother places a stumbling block before the weaker by leading him astray. When the righteous are distracted by those who appear to be wise and insightful, the weak are easily misled, not yet possessing the ability to discern. This weaker individual is referred to as a mother's son, not yet a father's son, still dependent on the nourishment of milk, clinging to his mother for sustenance. He remains in the embrace of his mother, the Church, unprepared to consume solid food from the Father's table; instead, he relies on the nourishing milk provided by his mother's breast, lacking discernment, for he remains animalistic and carnal. The spiritual person, however, discerns all matters, (1 Cor. 2:15) but the natural person cannot comprehend the things of the Spirit of God, as they appear foolish to him. (1 Cor. 2:14) To these individuals, the Apostle declares, I could not communicate with you as with spiritual individuals, but rather as with carnal beings, as infants in Christ; I provided you with milk, rather than solid food, for you were unable to receive it then, and even now you are not ready. (1 Cor. 3:1-2) I nurtured you; as expressed in another place, I became as a child to you, like a caregiver raising her own children. (1 Thess. 2:7) Not a caregiver tending to others' children, but one devoted to her own offspring. There are mothers who, after giving birth, delegate the care to others; those who do not nurture their own children because they have entrusted them to wet nurses. Yet the one who gives life also nurtures, ensuring that only he who has given birth can provide for his own. He declared, Of whom I will travail again until Christ is formed in you. (Galatians 4:19) He cared for them and offered them milk. However, there were those who claimed to be educated and spiritual, who looked down on Paul. They remarked, his letters are indeed forceful and compelling, but his physical presence is weak, and his speech is of little account: in (2 Cor. 10:10) he himself acknowledges in his letter that some of his detractors voiced such opinions. They sat and spoke ill of their brother, laying a trap for the son of his mother, so that he could be nourished with milk. And you have placed a stumbling block against the son of your mother.

Should you claim, ‘When others told me unflattering things about my neighbor, I could not have offended them by ignoring them,’ understand that this excuse holds no merit. No one willingly shares their thoughts with an indifferent listener. An arrow cannot penetrate solid stone; instead, it often rebounds, sometimes striking the very hand that shot it. If a slanderer perceives your unwillingness to entertain their words, let them grasp that mockery is not a simple act.

If you saw a thief, you quickly joined him, and you have been in allegiance with an adulterer. Your mouth has multiplied wickedness, and your tongue has crafted deceit. You have slandered your brother while sitting down, and you have laid snares for your mother’s son. You have done this, and I have remained silent; you have thought that I would be like you. I will correct you and present you before my face. Consider this, you who forget God, lest He become angry, and there be no one to rescue. A sacrifice of praise will honor Me, and this is the manner in which I will reveal My salvation to him.

Furthermore, the words of Christ will resonate: "I was hungry, and you gave me no food; I was thirsty, and you provided me nothing to drink; I was a stranger, and you did not welcome me; I was destitute, and you clothed me not; I was ill and imprisoned, and you did not visit me" (Matthew 25:42-43). Thus, God’s truth as recorded in Scripture will come to pass: "I will reprove thee, and set your sins before you" (Psalm 49:21). Those who stand for judgment, feeling the sting of rebuke, will be filled with shame and terror. Likewise, sinners will be engulfed by fear, trembling, and dread during judgment. They will face chastisement from God Himself, whom they failed to honor, and their ingratitude will be laid bare before all. A transgressor branded in court is cast out from the community of good citizens, seen as a villain rather than a child of the homeland. Likewise, Christians who break the law and do not seek forgiveness will find themselves alienated from the faithful in that judgment, separated like goats from sheep, deemed unfaithful rather than true Christians. A lawbreaker receives condemnation to death or other forms of punishment as prescribed by the law. At that final reckoning, sinners will be sentenced to everlasting torment. "Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels" (Matthew 25:41). Just as a condemned criminal is severed from family and friends, lamenting their fate as they approach execution, so too will sinners face eternal punishment, estranged from God, His holy angels, and the elect, destined to wander forever in sorrow, fear, and despair. "And these shall go into everlasting punishment" (Matthew 25:46). O unfortunate sinner, repent with a contrite heart and tears, so as to escape such fate. Have mercy, O Lord, have mercy on Your creation! "Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy, and according to the multitude of Your steadfast love, cleanse my transgressions. Conceal Your face from my sins, and purge away all my iniquities" (Psalm 50:3, 11). "But if You, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?" (Psalm 130:3). Turn Your face away from my sins, O Lord, and focus Your gaze upon Christ, my Lord Jesus, Your only Son, who suffered and died for me, an unworthy and destitute sinner, offering Himself as a sacrifice, a pleasing aroma unto You, my heavenly Father and Creator. Through His grace, pour out Your mercy upon me, and cleanse all my transgressions and sins in His blood, shed for my sake. Amen.