Psalms 139:22

Psalms 139 is a profound and deeply personal psalm of David, celebrating God's omnipresence, omniscience, and intimate involvement in his life. Amidst this beautiful reflection on divine knowledge and creation, verse 22 presents a stark and challenging statement about the psalmist's attitude towards those who oppose God.

Context of Psalms 139:22

The psalm begins with David marveling at God's complete knowledge of him (Psalms 139:1-6), followed by an acknowledgment of God's inescapable presence (Psalms 139:7-12). He then praises God as his Creator, intricately forming him in the womb (Psalms 139:13-18). The tone shifts abruptly in verse 19, where David expresses his indignation and desire for God to punish the wicked, leading into the declaration of "perfect hatred" in verse 22. This segment culminates in David's plea for God to search his own heart (Psalms 139:23-24), demonstrating that his zeal is rooted in righteousness, not personal vengeance.

Key Themes and Messages

• Righteous Indignation: David's "hatred" is not a personal vendetta but a profound alignment with God's own opposition to evil. He hates what God hates—wickedness, rebellion, and defiance against divine truth. This reflects a zeal for God's glory and justice.
• Identification with God's Cause: The psalmist identifies himself completely with God's perspective. Those who are God's enemies are, by extension, his enemies. This is a desire for the triumph of righteousness over unrighteousness.
• Moral Purity: By expressing such strong opposition to God's foes, David reinforces his own commitment to God's ways. It's a declaration of where his loyalties lie, separating himself from the wicked.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "perfect hatred" translates from the Hebrew tachlith sin'ah (תכלית שנאה). The word tachlith means "completion," "perfection," or "uttermost." Therefore, "perfect hatred" signifies a complete, unreserved, and unwavering opposition. It is not a hatred born of petty grievances or personal animosity, but a principled and absolute rejection of all that stands against God and His holy character. This is a hatred of the *actions* and *principles* of the wicked, rather than a vindictive hatred of their *persons* in a way that would contradict the New Testament command to love one's enemies.

Practical Application and Reflection

For the modern believer, this Old Testament verse can be challenging when viewed through the lens of New Testament commands to love. However, understanding it in its context reveals important principles:

• Hate the Sin, Not the Sinner: While David's language is strong, the underlying principle is a zealous hatred for sin and evil, not for the individual person. Believers are called to oppose injustice, falsehood, and rebellion against God, but to extend love and compassion to those caught in sin.
• Alignment with God's Values: This verse encourages us to examine our own hearts and ensure our values align with God's. Do we grieve over what grieves God? Do we stand for righteousness and against evil?
• Dependence on Divine Judgment: Ultimately, the psalmist leaves judgment to God. His hatred is a reflection of God's righteous judgment against evil, not a call for personal retaliation. As Romans 12:19 teaches, "Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord."

Psalms 139:22, therefore, serves not as an endorsement of personal animosity, but as a powerful expression of zealous devotion to God and an unwavering opposition to all that defies His holy character, leading directly into the psalmist's plea for God to search his own heart for any wicked way.