SAMECH. I hate vain thoughts
Or thoughts: evil thoughts are undoubtedly meant, no other can be
the object of hatred to a good man; they are such as are contrary
to the law of God, and forbidden by it, mentioned in the next
clause as the object of love, in opposition to these; and which
are abominable to God, and defiling to men; should be forsaken,
need pardon; and, if not pardoned, will be brought into judgment,
and there exposed, and men punished for them. There are
multitudes of these rise up in the minds of men, not only bad
men, but good men; even sometimes atheistical blasphemous
thoughts, as well as proud, haughty, revengeful, lustful, impure,
and worldly ones; which, when observed by a good man, give him
great concern and uneasiness, and raise a holy indignation in him
against them. The word is used for the "opinions" of men; the
ambiguous, doubtful, wavering, and inconstant sentiments of the
mind, ( 1 Kings
18:21 ) , and is used of branches, or the tops of trees,
waved with the wind to and fro: and may be applied to all
heterodox opinions, human doctrines, damnable heresies; such as
are inconsistent with the perfections of God, derogate from his
grace, and from the person and offices of Christ; and are
contrary to the word, and which are therefore rejected and
abhorred by good men. The Targum is,
``I hate those who think vain thoughts;''and so Jarchi and Aben Ezra interpret it of persons, thinkers, or devisers of evil things; and to this sense are the Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, and all the Oriental versions; and which is approved of by Gussetius F11; even free thinkers, such as devise things out of their own brains, and regard not the law, doctrine, or word of God;
but thy law do I love;
which forbids and condemns such vain and wicked thoughts, and
requires pure and Holy Ones. Or, "thy doctrine"; which comes from
God, is concerning him, and reveals his mind and will, his grace
and love, to men; the doctrine of Christ, concerning his person,
office, and work; the doctrine of the Scriptures, which contain
the whole Gospel of Christ, as well as the law of God; the
doctrine according to godliness, and which is good, sound, and
wholesome, and to be received in the love of it.