Psalm 50:21
New International Version
When you did these things and I kept silent, you thought I was exactly like you. But I now arraign you and set my accusations before you.

New Living Translation
While you did all this, I remained silent, and you thought I didn’t care. But now I will rebuke you, listing all my charges against you.

English Standard Version
These things you have done, and I have been silent; you thought that I was one like yourself. But now I rebuke you and lay the charge before you.

Berean Standard Bible
You have done these things, and I kept silent; you thought I was just like you. But now I rebuke you and accuse you to your face.

King James Bible
These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes.

New King James Version
These things you have done, and I kept silent; You thought that I was altogether like you; But I will rebuke you, And set them in order before your eyes.

New American Standard Bible
“These things you have done and I kept silent; You thought that I was just like you; I will rebuke you and present the case before your eyes.

NASB 1995
“These things you have done and I kept silence; You thought that I was just like you; I will reprove you and state the case in order before your eyes.

NASB 1977
“These things you have done, and I kept silence; You thought that I was just like you; I will reprove you, and state the case in order before your eyes.

Legacy Standard Bible
These things you have done and I kept silent; You thought that I was just like you; I will reprove you and state the case in order before your eyes.

Amplified Bible
“These things you have done and I kept silent; You thought that I was just like you. Now I will reprimand and denounce you and state the case in order before your eyes.

Christian Standard Bible
You have done these things, and I kept silent; you thought I was just like you. But I will rebuke you and lay out the case before you.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
You have done these things, and I kept silent; you thought I was just like you. But I will rebuke you and lay out the case before you.”

American Standard Version
These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; Thou thoughtest that I was altogether such a one as thyself: But I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes.

Contemporary English Version
When you did all this, I didn't say a word, and you thought, "God is just like us!" But now I will accuse you.

English Revised Version
These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When you did these things, I remained silent. [That] made you think I was like you. I will argue my point with you and lay it all out for you to see.

Good News Translation
You have done all this, and I have said nothing, so you thought that I am like you. But now I reprimand you and make the matter plain to you.

International Standard Version
These things you did, and I kept silent, because you assumed that I was like you. But now I am going to rebuke you, and I will set forth my case before your very own eyes."

Majority Standard Bible
You have done these things, and I kept silent; you thought I was just like you. But now I rebuke you and accuse you to your face.

NET Bible
When you did these things, I was silent, so you thought I was exactly like you. But now I will condemn you and state my case against you!

New Heart English Bible
You have done these things, and I kept silent. You thought that I was just like you. I will rebuke you, and accuse you in front of your eyes.

Webster's Bible Translation
These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes.

World English Bible
You have done these things, and I kept silent. You thought that I was just like you. I will rebuke you, and accuse you in front of your eyes.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
These you did, and I kept silent, "" You have thought that I am like you, "" I reprove you, and set in array before your eyes.

Young's Literal Translation
These thou didst, and I kept silent, Thou hast thought that I am like thee, I reprove thee, and set in array before thine eyes.

Smith's Literal Translation
These things thou didst and I was silent; thou thoughtest, being, I shall be like to thee: I will reprove thee, and I will set it in order before thine eyes.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
these things hast thou done, and I was silent. Thou thoughtest unjustly that I should be like to thee: but I will reprove thee, and set before thy face.

Catholic Public Domain Version
These things you have done, and I was silent. You thought, unjustly, that I ought to be like you. But I will reprove you, and I will set myself against your face.

New American Bible
When you do these things should I be silent? Do you think that I am like you? I accuse you, I lay out the matter before your eyes.

New Revised Standard Version
These things you have done and I have been silent; you thought that I was one just like yourself. But now I rebuke you, and lay the charge before you.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
All of these things have you done, and I kept silence; you thought that I was wicked like you; but I will reprove you, and correct these sins before your eyes.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
You have done all these things and I have been silent to you; you had hoped that I would be evil like you, but I shall rebuke you and I shall set them in order before your eyes.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
These things hast thou done, and should I have kept silence? Thou hadst thought that I was altogether such a one as thyself; But I will reprove thee, and set the cause before thine eyes.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
These things thou didst, and I kept silence: thou thoughtest wickedly that I should be like thee, but I will reprove thee, and set thine offences before thee.
Audio Bible



Context
The Mighty One Calls
20You sit and malign your brother; you slander your own mother’s son. 21You have done these things, and I kept silent; you thought I was just like you. But now I rebuke you and accuse you to your face. 22Now consider this, you who forget God, lest I tear you to pieces, with no one to rescue you:…

Cross References
Isaiah 57:11
Whom have you dreaded and feared, so that you lied and failed to remember Me or take this to heart? Is it not because I have long been silent that you do not fear Me?

Ecclesiastes 8:11
When the sentence for a crime is not speedily executed, the hearts of men become fully set on doing evil.

Romans 2:4
Or do you disregard the riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you to repentance?

Malachi 3:15
So now we call the arrogant blessed. Not only do evildoers prosper, they even test God and escape.’”

Job 22:13-14
Yet you say: ‘What does God know? Does He judge through thick darkness? / Thick clouds veil Him so He does not see us as He traverses the vault of heaven.’

Jeremiah 7:9-11
Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal, and follow other gods that you have not known, / and then come and stand before Me in this house, which bears My Name, and say, ‘We are delivered, so we can continue with all these abominations’? / Has this house, which bears My Name, become a den of robbers in your sight? Yes, I too have seen it, declares the LORD.

Romans 3:23
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Isaiah 42:14
“I have kept silent from ages past; I have remained quiet and restrained. But now I will groan like a woman in labor; I will at once gasp and pant.

2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.

Amos 5:12
For I know that your transgressions are many and your sins are numerous. You oppress the righteous by taking bribes; you deprive the poor of justice in the gate.

Matthew 25:41-46
Then He will say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. / For I was hungry and you gave Me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me nothing to drink, / I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, I was naked and you did not clothe Me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after Me.’ ...

Isaiah 1:18
“Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will become like wool.

Romans 2:5
But because of your hard and unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.

Ezekiel 8:12
“Son of man,” He said to me, “do you see what the elders of the house of Israel are doing in the darkness, each at the shrine of his own idol? For they are saying, ‘The LORD does not see us; the LORD has forsaken the land.’”

Luke 12:45-46
But suppose that servant says in his heart, ‘My master will be a long time in coming,’ and he begins to beat the menservants and maidservants, and to eat and drink and get drunk. / The master of that servant will come on a day he does not expect and at an hour he does not anticipate. Then he will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers.


Treasury of Scripture

These things have you done, and I kept silence; you thought that I was altogether such an one as yourself: but I will reprove you, and set them in order before your eyes.

I kept

Psalm 50:3
Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him.

Psalm 109:1-3
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. Hold not thy peace, O God of my praise; …

Ecclesiastes 8:11,12
Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil…

thoughest

Psalm 73:11
And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?

Psalm 94:7-11
Yet they say, The LORD shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it

Numbers 23:19
God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

Exodus 3:14
And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

will

Psalm 50:8
I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices or thy burnt offerings, to have been continually before me.

Proverbs 29:1
He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

Revelation 3:19
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

set

Psalm 90:8
Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance.

Ecclesiastes 12:14
For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

Amos 8:7
The LORD hath sworn by the excellency of Jacob, Surely I will never forget any of their works.

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Accuse Altogether Case Cause Eyes Front Hadst Kept Lay Order Protest Rebuke Reprove Seemed Silence Silent State Thought Thyself
Psalm 50
1. The majesty of God in the church
5. His order to gather his saints
7. The pleasure of God is not in ceremonies
14. but in sincerity of obedience














You have done these things
This phrase refers to the actions of the people that God is addressing. In the context of Psalm 50, God is speaking to His people, Israel, who have been engaging in hypocritical worship and sinful behavior. The Hebrew root for "done" is "עָשָׂה" (asah), which means to do, make, or accomplish. This indicates a deliberate action, emphasizing that the people have consciously engaged in behaviors that are contrary to God's commands. Historically, this reflects the period when Israel often fell into idolatry and moral decay, despite being chosen as God's covenant people.

and I kept silent
The phrase "I kept silent" comes from the Hebrew root "חָרַשׁ" (charash), meaning to be silent or to hold one's peace. God's silence here is not an indication of approval or indifference but rather a period of patience and forbearance. In the historical context, God's silence can be seen as a test of the people's faithfulness and an opportunity for repentance. It reflects the divine attribute of longsuffering, where God gives His people time to recognize their errors and return to Him.

you thought I was just like you
This phrase highlights a common misconception among the people that God shares their human limitations and moral failings. The Hebrew word for "thought" is "דָּמָה" (damah), which means to imagine or assume. This reflects a theological misunderstanding, where the people project their own nature onto God, forgetting His holiness and righteousness. In a broader scriptural context, this serves as a warning against idolatry and the creation of a god in one's own image, rather than worshiping the true God as revealed in Scripture.

But now I will rebuke you
The word "rebuke" comes from the Hebrew "יָכַח" (yakach), which means to reprove, correct, or argue. This indicates a turning point where God's patience gives way to corrective action. The rebuke is not merely punitive but is intended to bring about repentance and restoration. In the biblical narrative, God's rebuke is often a sign of His love and desire for His people to return to the right path, as seen in the prophetic literature where God calls His people back to covenant faithfulness.

and accuse you to your face
The phrase "accuse you to your face" emphasizes the direct and personal nature of God's confrontation. The Hebrew root "סָפַר" (saphar) means to recount or declare, indicating that God will openly declare their sins. The phrase "to your face" suggests an undeniable and inescapable confrontation, where the people can no longer hide behind rituals or excuses. This direct accusation is a call to accountability, reminding the people that God sees and knows all, and that true repentance requires acknowledgment of one's sins before God.

(21) The forbearance of God (intended to give room for repentance, Romans 2:4) is misconstrued. Men come to think the Divine Being as indifferent to evil as themselves.

That I was altogether.--We might render, that I was actually.

And set them in order.--The insertion of "them," referring back to "these things," is rather confusing. Better supply thine offences. All the sins of the wicked are marshalled before them.

Verse 21. - These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself. Because God did not interpose openly to punish the sins committed, the transgressor dared to imagine him to be indifferent to sin, "such an one as himself" - no holier, no purer, no more averse to evil. But I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes. But now the time is come when I shall no longer keep silence; I shall openly "reprove" thee, and marshal in set order before thee all the wicked deeds which thou hast done. God, as Calvin says, "will lay before them in exact order a full catalogue of their misdeeds, which they must read and own, whether they will or not."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
You have done
עָשִׂ֨יתָ ׀ (‘ā·śî·ṯā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

these things,
אֵ֤לֶּה (’êl·leh)
Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428: These, those

and I kept silent;
וְֽהֶחֱרַ֗שְׁתִּי (wə·he·ḥĕ·raš·tî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 2790: To cut in, engrave, plow, devise

you thought
דִּמִּ֗יתָ (dim·mî·ṯā)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 1819: To compare, to resemble, liken, consider

I was
הֱֽיוֹת־ (hĕ·yō·wṯ-)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

just like you.
כָמ֑וֹךָ (ḵā·mō·w·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's 3644: Like, as, when

But I Myself will rebuke you
אוֹכִיחֲךָ֖ (’ō·w·ḵî·ḥă·ḵā)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect Cohortative if contextual - first person common singular | second person masculine singular
Strong's 3198: To be right, reciprocal, to argue, to decide, justify, convict

and accuse you
וְאֶֽעֶרְכָ֣ה (wə·’e·‘er·ḵāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative - first person common singular
Strong's 6186: To set in a, row, arrange, put in order

to your face.
לְעֵינֶֽיךָ׃ (lə·‘ê·ne·ḵā)
Preposition-l | Noun - cdc | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain


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OT Poetry: Psalm 50:21 You have done these things and (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 50:20
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