Psalms 50:18

18 When you see a thief, you join with him; you throw in your lot with adulterers.

Psalms 50:18 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
18 When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers.
English Standard Version (ESV)
18 If you see a thief, you are pleased with him, and you keep company with adulterers.
New Living Translation (NLT)
18 When you see thieves, you approve of them, and you spend your time with adulterers.
The Message Bible (MSG)
18 If you find a thief, you make him your buddy; adulterers are your friends of choice.
American Standard Version (ASV)
18 When thou sawest a thief, thou consentedst with him, And hast been partaker with adulterers.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
18 When you see a thief, you want to make friends with him. You keep company with people who commit adultery.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
18 When you see a thief, you make friends with him, and you associate with adulterers.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
18 When you see a thief, you join him. You make friends with those who commit adultery.

Psalms 50:18 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 50:18

When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him
Or "didst run with him" F1; joined and agreed with him in the commission of the same things; which was literally true of the Scribes and Pharisees: they devoured widows' houses, and robbed them of their substance, under a pretence of long prayers; they consented to the deeds of Barabbas, a robber, when they preferred him to Jesus Christ; and they joined with the thieves on the cross in reviling him: and, in a spiritual sense, they stole away the word of the Lord, every man from his neighbour; took away the key of knowledge from the people, and put false glosses upon the sacred writings;

and hast been a partaker with adulterers;
these teachers of the law were guilty both of theft and adultery, ( Romans 2:21 Romans 2:22 ) ; they are called by our Lord an adulterous generation, ( Matthew 12:39 ) ; and they were so in a literal sense; see ( John 8:4-9 ) ; and in a figurative one, adulterating the word of God, and handling it deceitfully.


FOOTNOTES:

F1 (wme Urt) (sunetrecev autw) , Sept. "currebas cum eo", V. L. sic Eth. Syr. Targum, so Vatablus, Musculus, Piscator, Ainsworth.

Psalms 50:18 In-Context

16 But to the wicked person, God says: “What right have you to recite my laws or take my covenant on your lips?
17 You hate my instruction and cast my words behind you.
18 When you see a thief, you join with him; you throw in your lot with adulterers.
19 You use your mouth for evil and harness your tongue to deceit.
20 You sit and testify against your brother and slander your own mother’s son.

Cross References 2

  • 1. Romans 1:32; 1 Timothy 5:22
  • 2. S Job 22:15
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