Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off,
&c.] That raises and spreads a false report of him; that insinuates evil things of him; that brings false charges and accusations against him, in a private manner, when he has no opportunity to defend himself: such an one David threatens to cut off from his presence, as Kimchi interprets it; from all communion and conversation with him; and yet he listened to the slanders of Ziba against Mephibosheth: but Christ, who knows the hearts and the secret actions of men, will reject and cut off all persons of such a character: the Targum is,
``he that speaketh with a triple tongue against his neighbour, him will I destroy, and he shall be smitten with the leprosy:''a slandering tongue is called a triple tongue with the Jews F13, because, as they say, it kills three persons; him that carries the slander, him that receives it, and him of whom it is related; see the Apocrypha:
``Whoso hearkeneth unto it shall never find rest, and never dwell quietly.'' (Sirach 28:16)him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer;