Psalm 50 18

Psalm 50:18 kjv

When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers.

Psalm 50:18 nkjv

When you saw a thief, you consented with him, And have been a partaker with adulterers.

Psalm 50:18 niv

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

Psalm 50:18 esv

If you see a thief, you are pleased with him, and you keep company with adulterers.

Psalm 50:18 nlt

When you see thieves, you approve of them,
and you spend your time with adulterers.

Psalm 50 verses

Psalm 50 18 Meaning

Psalm 50:18 condemns the hypocrisy of those who profess outward devotion while actively engaging in, or complicitly approving of, wicked deeds. It specifically highlights participation in theft and identification with adultery, revealing that God views inward depravity and complicity in sin as a direct affront to His holiness, rendering their ritualistic worship meaningless. It exposes a dangerous indifference to righteous living among those who claim to know God.

Psalm 50 18 Context

Psalm 50 serves as a divine judgment scene, often depicted as a celestial court where God, as the supreme judge, convenes heaven and earth to witness His indictment against His people, Israel. He calls the "saints" (v. 5) who made a covenant with Him to account. God first clarifies that He does not need their animal sacrifices; rather, He desires true, heartfelt obedience (v. 7-15). Then, from verse 16 onwards, He turns His attention directly to the "wicked," challenging their right to even speak of His statutes while their lives are marked by blatant disobedience and moral decay. Verse 18 is a sharp denunciation within this larger indictment, highlighting specific examples of their moral failings – engaging with thieves and partaking with adulterers – thus exposing the profound hypocrisy of their outward religious observance contrasted with their internal corruption and societal behavior. The psalm's historical context points to a time when outward religious ritual often superseded genuine piety and moral living among God's chosen people.

Psalm 50 18 Word analysis

• When thou sawest: This highlights observation and awareness. It’s not about ignorance, but direct perception of sin, indicating full knowledge and conscious choice.
• a thief (Hebrew: גַּנָּב - gannāv): This term refers to one who takes another's property unjustly. Theft is a direct violation of the Ten Commandments (Exod 20:15) and disrupts social order. The specific mention underscores concrete, actionable sin.
• then thou consentedst with him (Hebrew: וַתֵּ֣רֶץ עִ֭מּוֹ - wat-tê-reṣ ‘im-mōw):
  • The Hebrew verb wat-tê-reṣ comes from the root רוץ (ruṣ), meaning "to run." Therefore, a more literal and potent translation is "then you ran with him." This conveys more than passive consent; it implies active participation, partnership, close association, and even a shared path or goal. It suggests not merely agreeing but complicity, collaborating in his wickedness, or having a sympathetic affinity for his actions.
  • This verb form is also similar to rāṣâ, "to be pleased with," suggesting shared delight in the wrongdoing.
  • The phrase highlights the active nature of their complicity, forming an alliance with those who transgress God's law.
• and hast been partaker with adulterers (Hebrew: וְעִם מְנָאֲפִ֥ים חֶלְקֶֽךָ - wə-‘im m'nā-’ă-p̄îm ḥel-qe-ḵā):
  • Adulterers (מְנָאֲפִ֥ים - m'nā-’ă-p̄îm): Those who violate the covenant of marriage and God’s commandment (Exod 20:14). Adultery is a severe breach of trust and purity.
  • Partaker (חֶלְקֶֽךָ - ḥel-qe-ḵā): Literally means "your portion" or "your share." This powerful word indicates a shared destiny, lot, or inheritance. To be a "partaker with adulterers" implies more than mere association; it means identifying with their deeds, sharing in their guilt, their gain, and ultimately, their judgment. It conveys that their moral "share" or "lot" is the same as that of these transgressors, blurring the line between observing and participating.
  • This suggests a moral commonality and spiritual identification with those committing grave sins against God's law and human relationships.

Psalm 50 18 Bonus section

This verse implies a principle applicable not only to active participation in sin but also to complicity through endorsement, silence, or shared benefit from others' wrongdoing. It serves as a stark reminder that one cannot claim righteousness while aligning themselves with unrighteousness. The "running with" suggests not just passively observing, but embracing the methodology and mindset of the sinner. The concept of "your portion" with the adulterers also carries a theological weight, hinting that by aligning with sin, one chooses the same spiritual lot and eventual judgment as the unrepentant sinner, despite outward religious pretense. It's a critical warning against practical atheism—professing faith while living as if God's laws do not matter.

Psalm 50 18 Commentary

Psalm 50:18 profoundly exposes the deceptive nature of external religiosity when unaccompanied by genuine moral integrity. It is a divine accusation against those who meticulously observe religious rites—perhaps offering sacrifices, speaking of God's law (as hinted in v. 16)—yet concurrently harbor or actively participate in unrighteousness. God declares that true piety is not found in superficial devotion but in a heart transformed by obedience and abhorrence of evil. Running with a thief implies active partnership or pleasure in dishonest gain, while sharing a lot with adulterers points to a deep identification or involvement with those who desecrate covenant and purity. The Lord, who is Light, sees not merely outward actions but discerns the heart's allegiances and the company it keeps, holding His people accountable for their moral choices that contradict their spiritual claims. This verse underscores that a sincere relationship with God demands moral consistency and separation from practices contrary to His character.