TRV
Study This Verse
Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Psalms 119:163.
Love and hatred are the leading affections of the soul; if those be fixed aright, the rest move accordingly. Here we have them fixed aright in David. 1. He had a rooted antipathy to sin; he could not endure to think of it: I hate and abhor lying, which may be taken for all sin, inasmuch as by it we deal treacherously and perfidiously with God and put a cheat upon ourselves. Hypocrisy is lying; false doctrine is lying; breach of faith is lying. Lying, in commerce or conversation, is a sin which every good man hates and abhors, hates and doubly hates, because of the seven things which the Lord hates one is a lying tongue and another is a false witness that speaks lies, Pro 6:16. Every man hates to have a lie told him; but we should more hate telling a lie because by the former we only receive an affront from men, by the latter we give an affront to God. 2. He had a rooted affection to the word of God: Thy law do I love. And therefore he abhorred lying, for lying is contrary to the whole law of God; and the reason why he loved the law of God was because of the truth of it. The more we see of the amiable beauty of truth the more we shall see of the detestable deformity of a lie.
Historical interpretation
Four Centuries of Reception
3 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
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Frequent prayer also commends us to God. For if the prophet says, “Seven times a day have I praised you,” though he was busy with the affairs of a kingdom, what ought we to do, who read, “Watch and pray that you enter not into temptation”? Certainly our customary prayers ought to be said with giving of thanks, when we rise from sleep, when we go forth, when we prepare to receive food, after receiving it and at the hour of incense, when at last we are going to rest.
"As for iniquity, I hate and abhor it; but Your law have I loved" [Psalm 119:163]. That awe, therefore, of His word did not create hatred of those words, but maintained his love unimpaired. For the words of God are no other than the law of God. Far be it therefore that love perish through fear, where fear is chaste. Thus fathers are at once feared and loved by affectionate sons; thus does the chaste wife at once fear her husband, lest she be forsaken by him, and loves him, that she may enjoy his love. If then the human father and the human husband desire at once to be feared and loved; much more does our Father who is in heaven, [Matthew 6:9] and that Bridegroom, "beautiful beyond the sons of men," not in the flesh, but in goodness. For by whom is the law of God loved, save by those by whom God is loved? And what that is severe has the father's law to good sons? [Hebrews 12:6] Let the Father's judgments therefore be praised even in the scourge, if His promises be loved in the reward.
Obtain the same thing for yourself and strive to advance toward it; for it is able to raise you from earth to heaven. You will not advance in it without preparation or [solely] by chance. First cleanse your soul of every passion and wipe it as clean of every evil as a newly cleansed mirror. Remove far from you every recollection of wrong and anger, which most of all prevents our daily prayers from reaching God. Also remove from your heart the offenses of everyone who has ever sinned against you. Giving wings to your prayer with mercy and compassion for the poor, approach God with fervent tears. Praying in this way you will be able to say with the blessed David, who, although he was king and burdened with countless cares, cleansed his soul of all passions: “I hated and abhorred iniquity, but I loved your law. Seven times a day I praised you because of the judgments of your righteousness.” My soul kept your testimonies and I loved them very much. Let my prayer draw near to you, Lord; enable me to understand your word.
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Summary
Psalms 119:163 articulates a profound and absolute moral declaration by the psalmist: an intense, visceral rejection of all forms of falsehood and deception, coupled with an equally fervent and unwavering devotion to God's divine instruction. This verse encapsulates a core principle of righteous living, highlighting the indispensable connection between a genuine love for God's truth and a resolute hatred for anything that contradicts it, thereby shaping a life of integrity, obedience, and alignment with the divine character.
Context
Literary Context
Psalm 119 stands as the longest psalm in the biblical canon, a magnificent acrostic poem meticulously structured to extol the virtues, wisdom, and perfection of God's revealed Word. Each of its twenty-two eight-verse stanzas begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet, with verse 163 falling within the "Taw" (ת) section. Throughout the entire psalm, the psalmist consistently employs a rich array of synonyms for God's Word—such as "law," "statutes," "precepts," "commandments," "judgments," "testimonies," and "word"—to express an unyielding, passionate love and commitment to divine instruction. This particular verse, 163, powerfully reinforces the psalm's overarching theme by contrasting the destructive nature of untruth with the life-giving power of God's truth, a recurring motif that underscores the psalmist's deep personal engagement with the divine will and his unwavering dedication to living by its principles.
Historical & Cultural Context
In ancient Israel, truthfulness was not merely a social nicety but a fundamental pillar of the covenant relationship with Yahweh, who is inherently truthful and faithful. Deception and lying were seen as direct affronts to God's character and destructive to the fabric of community, often associated with idolatry, injustice, and a rejection of divine order. The "law" (Torah) was understood not as a burdensome legal code but as God's comprehensive, gracious instruction for life, given to Israel to guide their conduct and establish a righteous society that reflected His holiness. It was intended to lead to flourishing, blessing, and a distinct identity among the nations. The psalmist's fervent declaration reflects a profound societal value placed on integrity and a deep theological understanding that a life aligned with God's truth was the only path to true wisdom and well-being, contrasting sharply with the pervasive deceit, treachery, and idolatry often prevalent in the surrounding pagan cultures.
Key Themes
Psalms 119:163 powerfully contributes to several key themes within the psalm and broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the Moral Purity demanded by God's character, emphasizing that true devotion involves not only embracing truth but actively abhorring its opposite. This aligns with the biblical understanding that God himself is truth and light, and therefore His people must reflect His nature by rejecting darkness and falsehood, as seen in passages like Ephesians 5:8-9. Secondly, the verse highlights the theme of Divine Revelation and Human Response, portraying God's law as the ultimate standard of truth which elicits a passionate, loving response from the righteous. This love for God's instruction is not a passive intellectual assent but an active delight that transforms one's moral compass, echoing the blessedness described in Psalm 1. Finally, the verse speaks to Integrity and Authenticity, suggesting that a life genuinely committed to God's Word will naturally manifest in a consistent rejection of hypocrisy and deceit, fostering a character marked by sincerity and trustworthiness in all dealings, aligning with the call to be blameless and pure.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
These two verbs are employed in tandem to convey an exceptionally strong, visceral, and moral repulsion. Sânêʼ (H8130) means "to hate" in a general sense, often implying a deep-seated enmity or aversion. Taʻâb (H8581) is even stronger, meaning "to loathe," "to detest," or "to abominate," often used in a religious context for things anathema to God (e.g., idolatry, abominable practices). The combination signifies not merely a dislike, but a profound, active, and unyielding moral revulsion against lying, indicating that it is something utterly repugnant to the psalmist's righteous character, mirroring God's own disposition toward sin and falsehood.
This term (H8267) is broad in its scope, encompassing not only verbal falsehoods but also deception, fraud, emptiness, vanity, and anything that is untrue, unreliable, or contrary to reality. It can refer to false witness, deceptive practices, the emptiness of idols, or even a vain, groundless thing. The psalmist's hatred extends to the entire spectrum of untruth, recognizing its destructive power in personal relationships, societal trust, and especially in one's relationship with the God of truth. It represents anything that is counterfeit or feigned.
While often translated as "law," tôwrâh (H8451) in its fullest sense signifies much more than a mere set of legalistic rules. Derived from a root meaning "to teach" or "to instruct," it denotes God's divine instruction, teaching, guidance, or revelation. It encompasses the entirety of God's revealed will, including His commands, statutes, precepts, and the narrative of His dealings with humanity, particularly the Pentateuch. For the psalmist, tôwrâh is not a burden but a comprehensive, life-giving guide that reveals God's character, wisdom, and pathway to righteousness, making it an object of profound love and delight.
Verse Breakdown
"I hate and abhor lying:"
This clause opens with a powerful declaration of the psalmist's personal stance. The use of the first-person singular "I" emphasizes a deeply internalized conviction, not merely an intellectual agreement or a societal norm. The double verb "hate and abhor" underscores the intensity and totality of this moral aversion. It is a visceral, emotional, and volitional rejection of all forms of falsehood (sheqer), indicating that the psalmist's character is fundamentally opposed to anything that contradicts truth, reflecting a heart aligned with God's own abhorrence of evil and deceit. This statement reveals a profound moral purity that is not passive but actively repulsed by untruth.
"[but] thy law do I love."
This second clause stands in stark antithetical parallelism to the first, introduced by the implied "but" (or "and" in Hebrew, creating a strong contrast). The psalmist's intense hatred for lying is balanced by an equally fervent and positive devotion to "thy law" (God's tôwrâh). This love is not a passive sentiment but an active, passionate affection for God's divine instruction, seeing it as the embodiment of truth, righteousness, and the pathway to life. The juxtaposition highlights that true devotion to God's truth necessarily involves a complete rejection of its opposite, falsehood, demonstrating that genuine love for God's Word transforms one's entire moral compass and affections.
Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message. Most prominently, Antithetical Parallelism is central, where the two clauses present contrasting ideas that illuminate each other: the psalmist's hatred of "lying" is set directly against his love for "thy law." This sharp contrast emphasizes the fundamental incompatibility of falsehood with divine truth and the necessity of choosing one over the other for a life of integrity. The use of strong, emotive verbs like "hate and abhor" demonstrates Hyperbole, expressing an exaggerated intensity of feeling to underscore the psalmist's absolute moral conviction and passionate aversion to untruth, conveying that his rejection of lying is total and uncompromising. Furthermore, the "law" is treated as an object capable of being loved and delighted in, which can be seen as a subtle form of Personification, elevating God's instruction beyond mere rules to something intimately cherished, pursued, and held dear by the psalmist.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Psalms 119:163 profoundly connects to the very nature of God, who is light and truth, utterly devoid of falsehood. This verse underscores the theological principle that a genuine relationship with God cultivates a corresponding love for truth and a hatred for all that is false, deceitful, and contrary to His character. It reveals that spiritual maturity involves not just intellectual assent to theological propositions but a deep, moral alignment of one's affections and will with divine standards. The psalmist's declaration is a testament to the transformative power of God's Word, which sanctifies the believer, shaping their desires to mirror God's own righteous indignation against sin and His delight in truth. This commitment to truth is foundational for all ethical living and for reflecting God's image in a fallen world, demonstrating that true godliness is characterized by both what one embraces and what one vehemently rejects.
Reflection and Application
Psalms 119:163 serves as a powerful mirror for contemporary believers, challenging us to examine the depth of our own moral convictions and affections. In a world saturated with misinformation, "fake news," and a pervasive casualness toward truth, the psalmist's vehement rejection of lying calls us to cultivate a similar, uncompromising stance against all forms of falsehood, whether in public discourse, personal interactions, or even self-deception. This verse reminds us that our love for God's Word should be as fervent as our hatred for anything that contradicts it. It compels us to actively pursue truth, to speak it with integrity, and to ground our lives in the unwavering reality of God's revealed will. Such a life, marked by consistency between belief and behavior, becomes a compelling witness to the transformative power of divine truth in a world desperately searching for authenticity, calling us to be people of unwavering integrity in an age of moral relativism.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why does the psalmist use such strong language ("hate and abhor") for lying?
The psalmist uses such strong language to convey the profound moral revulsion that should characterize a life devoted to God. This intensity reflects God's own character; God is truth, and therefore, falsehood is an abomination to Him. Lying is not merely a minor transgression but a direct assault on truth, which is foundational to God's nature and the fabric of righteous relationships. The double verb "hate and abhor" emphasizes a deep, visceral, and active rejection, indicating that the psalmist's entire being is set against anything that contradicts God's truth. This passionate stance serves as a stark contrast to his equally passionate love for God's law, highlighting the absolute choice between truth and deception, and the necessity of a decisive moral alignment.
What does "thy law" (Torah) encompass in this context?
In the context of Psalm 119, "thy law" (Hebrew: tôwrâh) is a comprehensive term that extends far beyond a mere set of legalistic rules. It refers to God's entire divine instruction, teaching, and revelation. It encompasses all of God's revealed will, including His commands, statutes, precepts, judgments, testimonies, and the entirety of His Word, particularly the Pentateuch. For the psalmist, tôwrâh is God's perfect, life-giving guide for humanity, revealing His character, wisdom, and the path to true righteousness and blessedness. It is seen not as a burden but as a source of delight, light, and life, shaping one's understanding of reality and guiding every aspect of existence, providing the ultimate standard for truth and integrity.
How does this verse guide believers in an age of widespread misinformation?
Psalms 119:163 provides crucial guidance for believers navigating an age of widespread misinformation and deception. Firstly, it calls for discernment: just as the psalmist actively distinguished truth from falsehood, believers must diligently test information against the unchanging standard of God's Word (1 Thessalonians 5:21). Secondly, it demands integrity: our personal lives must be marked by truthfulness, rejecting all forms of deceit in our words and actions, as commanded in Ephesians 4:25. Thirdly, it encourages active opposition to falsehood: the psalmist's "hate and abhor" is not passive; it implies a moral resistance to lies wherever they are encountered, advocating for truth in public and private spheres. Finally, it emphasizes grounding in God's Word: our love for God's law equips us with the ultimate truth, providing a stable foundation amidst the shifting sands of deceptive narratives, reminding us that God's Word is truth and a lamp to our feet (Psalm 119:105).
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Psalms 119:163 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the very embodiment of the "law" and the "truth" that the psalmist so passionately loved and upheld. Jesus declared, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life", making it clear that all divine truth resides in Him. His entire earthly ministry was characterized by an absolute hatred for falsehood, hypocrisy, and deception, particularly evident in His scathing rebukes of the Pharisees who taught lies and lived deceitful lives (Matthew 23). Conversely, Jesus demonstrated a perfect love and unwavering obedience to the Father's "law" (His will), stating that He did not come to abolish the Law but to fulfill it. His life was a seamless manifestation of truth, culminating in His sacrificial death, which exposed the ultimate lie of sin and established the truth of God's redemptive love. Through His Spirit, believers are empowered to share in this Christ-like hatred of lying and love for God's truth, being sanctified by the Spirit of truth and called to walk in integrity as children of light (Ephesians 5:8-9), reflecting His character in a world desperate for authenticity.