Psalms 101:5 Meaning and Explanation
“Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The psalmist vows to remove from his presence those who slander secretly and those characterized by pride and arrogance.
The Context of Psalms 101:5
The psalmist vows to exclude slanderers and the arrogant from his community.
What Does Psalms 101:5 Mean?
Slander conducted 'privily' (in secret) is particularly destructive because it operates in darkness and trust. The psalmist's vow to 'cut off' such a person demonstrates that he understands his role includes protecting the community from hidden deception and false accusation. This reflects justice that reaches beyond public crimes to the damage done by covert wickedness.
The second offense—'an high look and a proud heart'—refers to the arrogance that refuses to acknowledge boundaries or accountability. Such pride is incompatible with the just rule the psalmist envisions. Both vices (secret slander and open pride) undermine the social order the psalmist is committed to maintaining.
Psalms 101:5 in the Original Language
nāgal (נָגַל), 'privily slander' — to whisper accusations in secret, to defame; emphasizing covert malice rather than open confrontation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 101:5
What does Psalms 101:5 mean?
The psalmist vows to remove from his presence those who slander secretly and those characterized by pride and arrogance.
What is the context of Psalms 101:5?
The psalmist vows to exclude slanderers and the arrogant from his community.