Psalms 139:21

21 Do I not hate those who hate you, LORD, and abhor those who are in rebellion against you?

Psalms 139:21 in Other Translations

KJV
21 Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?
ESV
21 Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD? And do I not loathe those who rise up against you?
NLT
21 O LORD, shouldn’t I hate those who hate you? Shouldn’t I despise those who oppose you?
MSG
21 See how I hate those who hate you, God, see how I loathe all this godless arrogance;
CSB
21 Lord, don't I hate those who hate You, and detest those who rebel against You?

Psalms 139:21 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 139:21

Do not I hate them, O Lord, that hate thee?
&c.] Wicked men are haters of God; of his word, both law and Gospel; of his ordinances, ways, and worship; of his people, cause, and interest; and therefore good men hate them: not as men, as the creatures of God, and as their fellow creatures, whom they are taught by the Gospel to love, to do good unto, and pray for; but as haters of God, and because they are so; not their persons, but their works; and for the truth of this the omniscient God is appealed unto;

and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?
as wicked men do, in their hearts, in their words, and in their actions. They rebel against God, and contend with him, which is folly and madness; and this is grieving to good men, because of their insolence and impudence, the ruin and destruction they expose themselves to, and the dishonour done to God: and this arises from their great love and strong affection for him, not being able to bear such behaviour to him; as a man is filled with grief and indignation when another rises up against his father or his friend; see ( Psalms 119:136 Psalms 119:158 ) .

Psalms 139:21 In-Context

19 If only you, God, would slay the wicked! Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty!
20 They speak of you with evil intent; your adversaries misuse your name.
21 Do I not hate those who hate you, LORD, and abhor those who are in rebellion against you?
22 I have nothing but hatred for them; I count them my enemies.
23 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.

Cross References 2

  • 1. 2 Chronicles 19:2; Psalms 31:6; Psalms 119:113; Psalms 119:158
  • 2. S Psalms 26:5
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