Psa 50:21 | NET2full | STEP | When you did these things , I was silent , so you thought I was exactly like you. But now I will condemn you and state my case against you .

‏ Psalms 50:21

21 When you did these things, I was silent, ^{▼▼tn Heb “these things you did and I was silent.” Some interpret the second clause (“and I was silent”) as a rhetorical question expecting a negative answer, “[When you do these things], should I keep silent?” (cf. NEB). See GKC 335 §112.cc.} ^{▼▼sn The Lord was silent in the sense that he delayed punishment. Of course, God’s patience toward sinners eventually runs out. The divine “silence” is only temporary (see v. 3, where the psalmist, having described God’s arrival, observes that “he is not silent”).}
so you thought I was exactly like you. ^{▼▼tn The Hebrew infinitive construct (הֱיוֹת, heyot) appears to function like the infinitive absolute here, adding emphasis to the following finite verbal form (אֶהְיֶה, ʾehyeh). See GKC 339-40 §113.a. Some prefer to emend הֱיוֹת (heyot) to the infinitive absolute form הָיוֹ (hayo).}
But now I will condemn ^{▼▼tn Or “rebuke” (see v. 8).} you
and state my case against you. ^{▼▼tn Heb “and I will set in order [my case against you] to your eyes.” The cohortative form expresses the Lord’s resolve to accuse and judge the wicked.}