He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.
He that backbiteth not with his tongue. The former verse described what the godly man is, this verse describes what he is not.
Backbiteth - the Hebrew х raagal (H7270), from regel (H7272), the foot] is literally to go here and there as tale-bearers. The Psalmist has Leviticus 19:16 in view, "Thou shalt not go up and down as a tale-bearer" (see Hebrew).
Nor doeth evil to his neighhour - `to his friend' (Hengstenberg). The idea is of our being all bound together in a common spiritual and natural brotherhood, which renders any violation of that neighourly relation peculiarly heinous. The same thought is marked in the Hebrew by the play on similar sounds х lªree`eehuw (H7453) raa`aah (H7451)]: 'doeth what is the reverse of friendly to a friend.'
Nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour - a distinct Hebrew word from the former "neighbour" х qªrowb (H7138)]. It is translated "kin," Leviticus 21:2, and implies propinquity, as the former х reea` (H7453)] implies association.
Nor taketh up a reproach. Reproach is a burden which, if the slandered had not taken up and laid upon his neighbour, would have lain harmless.