Psalms 25:19

KJV

Consider mine enemies; for they are many; and they hate me with cruel hatred.

KJV (with Strong's)

Consider {H7200} mine enemies {H341}; for they are many {H7231}; and they hate {H8130} me with cruel {H2555} hatred {H8135}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Consider my enemies, how many there are and how cruelly they hate me.

Berean Standard Bible

Consider my enemies, for they are many, and they hate me with vicious hatred.

American Standard Version

Consider mine enemies, for they are many; And they hate me with cruel hatred.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 25:19 presents a poignant and direct plea from David to God, urging the divine "consideration" of his numerous adversaries. This verse encapsulates the intense pressure and profound vulnerability David felt, as he faced not merely opposition but a deep-seated, violent animosity from those who sought his harm. It serves as a raw and honest expression of distress, appealing to God's justice and active intervention against relentless foes.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 25 is an acrostic psalm, though its adherence to the Hebrew alphabet is somewhat irregular. It is a comprehensive prayer attributed to David, weaving together themes of repentance, divine instruction, deliverance from shame, and protection from enemies. Verse 19 is strategically placed within a section where David expresses his dependence on God amidst external threats and internal struggles with sin. His plea for God to "consider" his enemies follows earlier requests for guidance and forgiveness, highlighting that even in his personal spiritual journey, external opposition remains a significant burden. The psalm consistently underscores David's unwavering focus on God, as seen in his declaration, "Mine eyes are ever toward the [LORD](/psalms/25-15 "Psalm 25:15 - David's Eyes Toward the Lord")" (Psalm 25:15), emphasizing his reliance on divine intervention despite his overwhelming circumstances.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** King David's life was marked by persistent conflict and opposition. From his early days fleeing King Saul to later challenges posed by foreign nations like the Philistines and internal rebellions, most notably by his son Absalom, David frequently found himself surrounded by adversaries. In the ancient Near East, a king's stability and success were often tied to his ability to subdue enemies. Therefore, David's lament is not merely a personal complaint but also a reflection of the vulnerability of a monarch whose reign and very life were under constant threat. His appeal to God for intervention against "many" enemies and their "cruel hatred" would have resonated deeply within a culture where divine favor was seen as essential for victory and survival, and where justice was often sought through the direct intervention of the deity.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Psalm 25 and the broader Psalter. Firstly, it underscores **The Reality of Adversity**, as David does not shy away from articulating the overwhelming nature of his opposition ("they are many") and the intensity of their animosity. This honest confession sets the stage for a genuine plea for help, acknowledging the severity of his plight. Secondly, it embodies a profound **Plea for Divine Observation and Intervention**. The request "Consider mine enemies" is far more than a casual notice; it's an appeal for God's active, purposeful attention with a view toward decisive action. This aligns with other prayers for divine justice and vindication found throughout the Psalms, such as David's cry for God to "Arise, O [LORD](/psalms/7-6 "Psalm 7:6 - Arise, O Lord, in Your Anger")" (Psalm 7:6). Lastly, the phrase "cruel hatred" highlights **The Malicious Nature of Hatred**, describing a deep-seated, destructive intent that seeks to inflict harm and injustice, rather than mere dislike. Despite these overwhelming odds, David consistently demonstrates **Trust in God's Sovereignty**, bringing his complaint to the Lord, implicitly believing that God is both aware of his suffering and fully capable of delivering him, a theme echoed in many psalms of lament and trust.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Consider (Hebrew, _nabat'_):** This verb means "to look intently," "to gaze," "to observe with attention," or "to pay regard to." In this context, it is an imperative, a direct command or urgent plea to God. It implies more than just passive observation; David is asking God to actively take note of his enemies' actions and intentions with a view toward intervention and taking appropriate action. It suggests a divine engagement that leads to a response.
* **Cruel hatred (Hebrew, _sin'at hamas'_):** This powerful phrase combines _sin'ah_ (hatred) with _hamas_ (violence, wrong, injustice, cruelty). Therefore, "cruel hatred" is not merely an emotional dislike, but a hatred that is characterized by and actively seeks to inflict violence, injustice, or harm. It describes an animosity that is destructive in its intent and often manifests in oppressive or wrongful actions. This term emphasizes the severe and destructive nature of the enemies' intentions, making their animosity particularly grievous.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Consider mine enemies;"**: This opening clause is a direct, urgent appeal to God. The imperative "Consider" (from _nabat_) is a plea for God to actively and purposefully turn His gaze upon David's adversaries. It's a request for divine attention that is not just observational but preparatory for intervention, asking God to fully grasp the situation and respond on David's behalf.
* **"for they are many;"**: This clause provides the immediate justification for David's plea. The sheer number of his enemies underscores the overwhelming nature of the threat he faces. It highlights his vulnerability and the human impossibility of overcoming such a multitude on his own, thereby emphasizing his absolute reliance on God's superior power and protection.
* **"and they hate me with cruel hatred."**: This final clause describes the quality and intensity of the enemies' animosity. The phrase "cruel hatred" (_sin'at hamas_) signifies a malicious, violent, and unjust animosity. It's not a casual dislike but a deep-seated, active desire to inflict harm and injustice upon David, making their opposition particularly dangerous and morally reprehensible in God's sight.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 25:19 employs several literary devices to convey David's urgent plea and the intensity of his suffering. The most prominent is the **Imperative Mood** of "Consider," which functions as a direct, impassioned command or entreaty to God. This highlights David's utter dependence and the urgency of his situation, as he calls upon the divine to act. The phrase "they are many" can be understood as **Hyperbole** or **Exaggeration**, emphasizing the overwhelming feeling of being outnumbered and beleaguered, even if the literal count wasn't astronomically high. This rhetorical device effectively communicates David's sense of being surrounded and vulnerable. Furthermore, the vivid description "cruel hatred" utilizes **Emotive Language** and **Vivid Imagery**. The term "cruel" (from _hamas_) paints a picture of violent, unjust malice, making the enemies' animosity palpable and underscoring the severity of their destructive intent. This powerful imagery evokes sympathy for David's plight and reinforces the need for divine intervention against such malevolent forces.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 25:19 profoundly speaks to the theological truth of God's attentive nature and His commitment to justice. David's plea is rooted in the conviction that God is not a distant, uncaring deity but one who sees the suffering of His righteous and hears their cries. By asking God to "consider" his enemies, David appeals to God's character as the righteous judge who will ultimately vindicate the oppressed and confront injustice. This verse reminds believers that even when overwhelmed by opposition, whether from human adversaries, spiritual forces, or challenging circumstances, God is intimately aware of their plight and capable of intervening. It encourages a posture of honest lament and trusting surrender, knowing that vengeance belongs to the Lord, and He will repay.

* [Psalm 34:17](/psalms/34-17 "Psalm 34:17 - The Lord Hears the Righteous")
* [Psalm 7:6](/psalms/7-6 "Psalm 7:6 - Arise, O Lord, in Your Anger")
* [Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Vengeance Belongs to God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 25:19 offers a timeless model for believers navigating their own seasons of adversity and opposition. It encourages us to bring our struggles, no matter how overwhelming or painful, directly to God with unvarnished honesty. Like David, we are invited to articulate the depth and breadth of the challenges we face, acknowledging the number and malicious intent of our "enemies"—be they literal adversaries, spiritual forces, or the crushing weight of life's circumstances. This verse reminds us that God is not unaware of our pain or the opposition we encounter; indeed, He "considers" our situation, meaning He is actively attentive and purposefully engaged. Our role is not to seek personal revenge or to be consumed by bitterness, but to commit our cause to the Lord, trusting in His perfect justice and timing for deliverance. This posture of dependence fosters a deep peace, knowing that the God who sees all will ultimately act righteously on behalf of His children.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "enemies" or overwhelming challenges are you currently facing that you need to bring before the Lord with honesty?**
* **How does the understanding of God actively "considering" your situation impact your trust and peace amidst adversity?**
* **In what ways might you be tempted to respond to "cruel hatred" with your own anger or desire for revenge, and how can you instead commit these feelings to God's justice?**

### FAQ
**What kind of "enemies" is David referring to in this psalm?**

Answer: David's enemies in the Psalms can be multifaceted. Historically, they refer to literal adversaries who sought to harm him, such as King Saul, rebellious factions within Israel (like Absalom's supporters), or foreign nations. Spiritually, they can represent forces of evil or those who oppose God's will and His anointed. Psychologically, they can even symbolize internal struggles, fears, or the consequences of sin that create a sense of being besieged. In Psalm 25:19, the phrase "cruel hatred" (_sin'at hamas_) strongly suggests human adversaries whose animosity was violent and unjust, actively seeking David's downfall. However, the spiritual application extends to all forms of opposition that a righteous person might face.

**Does this verse encourage believers to pray for harm upon their enemies?**

Answer: While some psalms contain imprecatory prayers that call for God's judgment on enemies, Psalm 25:19 is primarily a plea for divine observation and intervention, not a direct curse. David asks God to "consider" his enemies, trusting that God's consideration will lead to righteous action. This aligns with the broader biblical principle that vengeance belongs to God, not to humans (see [Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Vengeance Belong to God")). Believers are called to commit their cause to God, trusting in His justice, rather than seeking personal retribution. The focus is on God's vindication of the righteous and His dealing with the wicked in His perfect timing and way.

**How does God "consider" our enemies, and what does that mean for us?**

Answer: When David asks God to "consider" (_nabat_) his enemies, he is asking for God to look intently and purposefully, with a view toward taking action. This means God is not merely aware of our struggles; He is actively attentive and engaged with our situation. For believers, this implies that God sees every injustice, every act of "cruel hatred" directed against us, and He is moved to respond. It assures us that our suffering is not unnoticed by heaven and that God, in His perfect timing and wisdom, will intervene to bring about justice, deliverance, or strength to endure. It empowers us to release our burdens to Him, trusting that His active "consideration" will lead to a righteous outcome, whether in this life or the next.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 25:19 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Just as David faced "many" enemies who hated him with "cruel hatred," so too did Jesus. From the religious leaders who plotted His demise to the crowds who cried "Crucify him!", Jesus was the quintessential righteous sufferer, despised and rejected by men (as prophesied in [Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - Despised and Rejected")). His enemies were indeed numerous, and their hatred was imbued with the ultimate "violence" and "injustice" (_hamas_) as they unjustly condemned and crucified the Son of God. Yet, in His suffering, Jesus did not seek personal vengeance but committed Himself to the Father, echoing David's plea for divine "consideration." His prayer in Gethsemane, "not my will, but yours, be done" ([Matthew 26:39](/matthew/26-39 "Matthew 26:39 - Jesus' Prayer in Gethsemane")), reflects a perfect trust in God's sovereign plan, even amidst the most intense opposition and hatred. Ultimately, through His death and resurrection, Jesus triumphed over all principalities and powers ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")), destroying the one who has the power of death ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Jesus Destroys the Power of Death")). Thus, David's cry for God to "consider" his enemies is answered in Christ's ultimate victory, demonstrating that God indeed saw, heard, and acted decisively against the forces of evil and hatred, securing eternal deliverance for all who trust in Him.

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.

Cross-References

Psalms 52:2

Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.

Psalms 56:2

Mine enemies would daily swallow [me] up: for [they be] many that fight against me, O thou most High.

Psalms 57:4

My soul [is] among lions: [and] I lie [even among] them that are set on fire, [even] the sons of men, whose teeth [are] spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.

Psalms 38:19

But mine enemies [are] lively, [and] they are strong: and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied.

Psalms 143:3

For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground; he hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead.

Psalms 11:5

The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.

Psalms 140:4

Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man; who have purposed to overthrow my goings.