Psalms 139:21

KJV

Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?

KJV (with Strong's)

Do not I hate {H8130} them, O LORD {H3068}, that hate {H8130} thee? and am not I grieved {H6962} with those that rise up {H8618} against thee?

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI, how I hate those who hate you! I feel such disgust with those who defy you!

Berean Standard Bible

Do I not hate those who hate You, O LORD, and detest those who rise against You?

American Standard Version

Do not I hate them, O Jehovah, that hate thee? And am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 139:21 presents a fervent declaration from the psalmist, likely David, expressing profound loyalty to the LORD by aligning his emotions with God's righteous opposition to those who actively hate and rebel against Him. This passionate statement emerges from a deep meditation on God's omniscient and omnipresent character, serving as a prelude to the psalmist's subsequent prayer for divine scrutiny of his own heart and motives. It underscores a zeal for God's honor and a righteous indignation against anything that stands in defiance of His holy nature.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 139:21 is strategically positioned within a psalm that profoundly explores God's intimate knowledge and sovereign design. The preceding verses ([Psalms 139:1-18](/psalms/139-1 "Psalms 139:1-18 - God's Omniscience and Omnipresence")) marvel at God's omnipresence and omniscience, depicting Him as intimately acquainted with every thought, word, and path of the psalmist. Following this awe-filled contemplation of divine attributes, the psalmist transitions from adoration to a strong declaration of allegiance. Verse 21, along with verse 22, serves as a bridge, demonstrating the psalmist's response to such a holy and all-knowing God: a passionate rejection of God's enemies. This intense declaration then sets the stage for the concluding prayer in [Psalms 139:23-24](/psalms/139-23 "Psalms 139:23-24 - A Prayer for Self-Examination"), where the psalmist invites God to search his own heart, ensuring his motives are pure and his alignment with God is complete.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Composed likely during the Davidic era, this psalm reflects the covenantal worldview of ancient Israel. In this context, "enemies" of God were not merely personal adversaries but often those who opposed God's covenant, His people, and His righteous rule. Such opposition was viewed as an affront to God's honor and a threat to the moral order He established. The concept of "hatred" in this setting, particularly when directed at those who "hate God," often signifies a strong moral aversion, a rejection of their ways, and an alignment with divine justice rather than personal malice. Kings like David were expected to uphold God's law and defend His honor, making such declarations of loyalty to God's cause fitting for a leader of Israel. The psalmist's sentiment echoes the broader biblical theme that God Himself is opposed to evil and injustice, as seen in passages like [Psalms 7:11](/psalms/7-11 "Psalms 7:11 - God's Righteous Judgment") which describes God as a righteous judge who is angry with the wicked.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within Psalms 139 and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Loyalty and Zeal for God**, demonstrating the psalmist's profound devotion to the LORD, so intense that he feels a righteous indignation towards anyone who actively rebels against God. Secondly, it touches upon the theme of **Hatred of Evil, Not People**. The "hatred" expressed (Hebrew: *sânêʼ*) is not necessarily personal malice but a strong moral aversion to actions, rebellion, and enmity towards God, signifying a rejection of their unrighteous ways. Similarly, being "grieved" (Hebrew: *qûwṭ*) implies a deep disgust or vexation at active opposition to the Divine, reinforcing the psalmist's alignment with God's moral standards. Lastly, the verse underscores the theme of **Alignment with Divine Justice**, reflecting a desire to be on God's side, echoing God's own opposition to evil and injustice. This righteous indignation is a reflection of God's own character, who is holy and just, and cannot tolerate evil, as articulated in [Habakkuk 1:13](/habakkuk/1-13 "Habakkuk 1:13 - God's Purity").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **hate (Hebrew, _sânêʼ'_):** This primitive root signifies to hate personally, to be an enemy or foe, or to be odious. In the context of Psalms 139:21, it conveys a profound moral aversion and strong opposition, rather than mere personal dislike. The psalmist is not expressing a personal vendetta but a deep-seated rejection of those who actively and deliberately set themselves against God, aligning his own heart's disposition with God's righteous judgment against evil.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** Derived from the verb "to be," this is the self-Existent or Eternal One, the Jewish national name of God, Jehovah. It emphasizes God's unchanging, sovereign, and covenantal nature. The psalmist's address to "O LORD" highlights that his "hatred" and "grief" are not arbitrary personal feelings but are rooted in his relationship with and reverence for the holy, eternal God, whose honor is being assailed by His enemies.
* **grieved (Hebrew, _qûwṭ'_):** This primitive root means to cut off, and figuratively, to detest, be grieved, or loathe oneself. Here, it conveys a profound feeling of loathing, disgust, or vexation. The psalmist is not merely sad, but deeply troubled and repulsed by the active rebellion and opposition against God, indicating a strong emotional and moral response to such defiance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee?"**: This is a rhetorical question, serving as a strong affirmation. The psalmist is emphatically declaring his deep-seated aversion to those who are God's adversaries. The "hatred" here is not personal malice but a righteous indignation and moral opposition to their rebellion against the holy God. It signifies a profound alignment of the psalmist's will and emotions with God's own righteous judgment against evil.
* **"and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?"**: This second rhetorical question reinforces the first, using synonymous parallelism. To be "grieved" (or "loathe" as some translations render it) signifies a deep disgust and vexation. "Those that rise up against thee" refers to active rebels, those who defy God's authority and moral order. The psalmist is expressing his utter repugnance for such defiance, indicating a complete solidarity with God's perspective on righteousness and rebellion.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 139:21 employs several powerful literary devices to convey the psalmist's intense emotion and unwavering loyalty. The primary device is the **Rhetorical Question**, used twice ("Do not I hate them...?" and "am not I grieved...?"). These are not questions seeking information but emphatic declarations, designed to underscore the psalmist's absolute conviction and the self-evident nature of his stance. They serve to heighten the emotional impact and draw the listener into agreement. Secondly, there is clear **Parallelism**, specifically **Synonymous Parallelism**, between the two clauses. "Hate them... that hate thee" and "grieved with those that rise up against thee" convey essentially the same idea through different but reinforcing expressions, amplifying the psalmist's profound aversion to God's enemies. The phrase "rise up against thee" also implies a degree of **Personification** of rebellion, giving it an active, almost physical, posture of defiance against God. The intensity of the psalmist's feelings can also be seen as a form of **Hyperbole**, an exaggeration for rhetorical effect, emphasizing the depth of his commitment to God's cause and his utter rejection of anything that opposes divine holiness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 139:21 presents a powerful theological statement about the nature of righteous indignation and loyalty to God. It highlights that a deep love for God naturally entails a strong aversion to that which opposes Him. This "hatred" is not a call to personal vindictiveness or malice against individuals, but a moral and spiritual alignment with God's own opposition to sin, rebellion, and injustice. It recognizes that God, being perfectly holy, cannot tolerate evil. The psalmist's emotion reflects a zeal for God's honor and a desire for His righteousness to prevail. While the New Testament calls believers to love their enemies, this Old Testament passage reminds us that such love does not negate a profound hatred for the evil that enslaves them and dishonors God. It challenges believers to cultivate a heart that grieves over sin and stands firmly against all that opposes God's truth and goodness, mirroring God's own character.

* [Proverbs 8:13](/proverbs/8-13 "Proverbs 8:13 - The Fear of the Lord is to Hate Evil")
* [Romans 12:9](/romans/12-9 "Romans 12:9 - Abhor What is Evil")
* [Psalm 97:10](/psalms/97-10 "Psalm 97:10 - You Who Love the Lord, Hate Evil")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 139:21 challenges us to examine the depth of our own loyalty to God. If we truly love the LORD and are awestruck by His omniscience and omnipresence, as the psalmist was in the preceding verses, then our hearts should grieve and recoil from anything that actively opposes His holy character and righteous will. This doesn't mean harboring personal animosity towards individuals, but rather cultivating a profound hatred for sin, injustice, and rebellion against God. It calls us to discern between the sinner, whom God loves and seeks to redeem, and the sin, which God abhors. Our "hatred" should be directed at the spiritual forces of evil and the destructive nature of sin, prompting us to stand for truth and righteousness in a world that often defies God. This verse encourages us to pray, like the psalmist in the following verses, for God to search our hearts, ensuring our motives are pure and our zeal is for His glory alone, not for personal vengeance or self-righteousness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does my heart align with God's justice and His opposition to evil?**
* **In what ways can I express righteous indignation against sin while still loving and praying for those who are caught in it?**
* **How does this verse challenge me to examine my own loyalties and ensure they are fully devoted to God?**

### FAQ

**How does this verse reconcile with Jesus' command to love enemies?**

Answer: Psalms 139:21 expresses a righteous indignation against those who actively hate and rise up against God, reflecting a zeal for God's honor and a hatred for evil. This is distinct from personal malice or vindictiveness. Jesus' command to [love your enemies](/matthew/5-44 "Matthew 5:44 - Love Your Enemies") and [pray for those who persecute you](/luke/6-28 "Luke 6:28 - Bless Those Who Curse You") (as seen in [Matthew 5:44](/matthew/5-44 "Matthew 5:44 - Love Your Enemies") and [Luke 6:28](/luke/6-28 "Luke 6:28 - Bless Those Who Curse You")) does not negate the biblical imperative to hate evil itself. Rather, it refines it: we are to hate the sin, which is an affront to God, but love the sinner, who is made in God's image and is a candidate for redemption. The psalmist's "hatred" is a moral revulsion for rebellion against God, not a personal vendetta against individuals.

**Is it okay for Christians to "hate" anything?**

Answer: Yes, Christians are called to hate certain things. The Bible consistently portrays God as hating evil, injustice, pride, and falsehood (e.g., [Proverbs 6:16-19](/proverbs/6-16 "Proverbs 6:16-19 - Seven Things the Lord Hates")). Therefore, to be aligned with God's character, believers should also hate what God hates. This is a righteous hatred directed at sin, rebellion, and anything that dishonors God, rather than a personal, malicious hatred directed at people. As [Romans 12:9](/romans/12-9 "Romans 12:9 - Let Love Be Genuine") states, "Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good." This verse perfectly encapsulates the balance: love for God and goodness necessitates an abhorrence (a strong hatred) for evil.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 139:21, with its raw expression of righteous indignation against those who oppose God, finds its ultimate fulfillment and perfect embodiment in Jesus Christ. While the psalmist expresses a human, albeit righteous, hatred for God's enemies, Jesus perfectly demonstrated this divine attribute without blemish. He displayed profound zeal for His Father's house, even to the point of cleansing the temple with righteous anger ([John 2:13-17](/john/2-13 "John 2:13-17 - Jesus Cleanses the Temple")), and He pronounced woes upon the hypocritical religious leaders who opposed God's truth ([Matthew 23:13-36](/matthew/23 "Matthew 23 - Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees")). Yet, uniquely, Jesus simultaneously embodied perfect love for sinners, even those who were His enemies. He came not to condemn the world but to save it ([John 3:17](/john/3-17 "John 3:17 - God Sent His Son to Save the World")). On the cross, Christ became the ultimate expression of God's hatred for sin, bearing its full wrath upon Himself ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")), thus disarming the powers that "rise up against" God ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")). Through His sacrifice, He transformed the very nature of enmity, offering reconciliation to those who were once God's enemies ([Romans 5:8-10](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8-10 - Reconciliation Through Christ")). Thus, Jesus perfectly reconciles the divine hatred of sin with the divine love for the sinner, providing the means for all who "rise up against" God to instead become His beloved children.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.