Verse 5
5. Whose privily slandereth his neighbour The most dangerous and the most detestable of practices, not unusual in kingly courts, especially in oriental lands. David had suffered more from this element in Saul’s court than from any other cause, and execrated it often, as in Psalms 120:0. See Proverbs 30:10.
Him will I cut off He speaks as a king holding the sword of justice. The protection of society required it. Secret slander in official counsel is a dangerous form of bearing false witness; and where it maliciously involves the life of the innocent should be punished, like all conspiracy against life, with the same forfeiture. Such justice was recognised among the heathen. Compare the case of Haman in Esther 7:10, and of Daniel in Daniel 6:24.
High look and a proud heart Literally, lofty of eyes and broad of heart. Haughtiness and the inflation of vanity and self-conceit seem to be the qualities here condemned.
Will not I suffer I am not able to endure.
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