Psalms 97:10

KJV

Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.

KJV (with Strong's)

Ye that love {H157} the LORD {H3068}, hate {H8130} evil {H7451}: he preserveth {H8104} the souls {H5315} of his saints {H2623}; he delivereth {H5337} them out of the hand {H3027} of the wicked {H7563}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You who love ADONAI, hate evil! He keeps his faithful servants safe. He rescues them from the power of the wicked.

Berean Standard Bible

Hate evil, O you who love the LORD! He preserves the souls of His saints; He delivers them from the hand of the wicked.

American Standard Version

O ye that love Jehovah, hate evil: He preserveth the souls of his saints; He delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 97:10 serves as a powerful ethical imperative within a psalm celebrating God's majestic reign, calling those who love the LORD to actively abhor evil. This command is immediately followed by a profound assurance of divine protection, affirming that God vigilantly preserves the souls of His faithful ones and delivers them from the oppressive power of the wicked. The verse thus intertwines human moral responsibility with God's unwavering faithfulness and sovereign care for His saints, underscoring the inseparable link between devotion to God and a commitment to righteousness, guaranteed by His preserving hand.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 97:10 is situated within an enthronement psalm (Psalm 97) that vividly portrays the LORD's universal kingship and His righteous judgment. The preceding verses (97:1-9) describe God's awesome manifestation, with clouds and darkness surrounding Him, fire going before Him, and mountains melting at His presence, culminating in the declaration that "all the peoples have seen his glory" (97:6). This grand display of divine power and righteousness serves as the backdrop for the specific ethical call in verse 10. The psalm contrasts the LORD's glory with the shame of idol worshipers (97:7), setting the stage for the distinction between those who serve Him and those who oppose Him. Following verse 10, the psalm concludes with a call for the righteous to rejoice and give thanks (97:11-12), emphasizing the light and joy that are sown for the upright, reinforcing the blessings associated with loving God and hating evil.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Psalm 97, like other enthronement psalms (e.g., [Psalm 93](/psalms/93 "Psalm 93 - The LORD Reigns"), [Psalm 96](/psalms/96 "Psalm 96 - Sing to the LORD a New Song"), [Psalm 99](/psalms/99 "Psalm 99 - The LORD Reigns")), reflects ancient Israel's understanding of God as the supreme King, ruling over all creation and nations. This concept was revolutionary in a polytheistic ancient Near East, where local deities often vied for power. The call to "hate evil" was not merely an abstract moral principle but a concrete rejection of the idolatrous practices, social injustices, and moral corruption prevalent in surrounding cultures and often tempting within Israel itself. The "wicked" would have included those who oppressed the poor, perverted justice, or led people astray into idolatry, posing real threats to the community of faith. God's promise of preservation and deliverance would have been a vital source of hope and security for a people often surrounded by hostile forces and internal moral decay.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within the Psalter and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights the **holiness of God** and the corresponding call to **human holiness**. God's righteous character demands a response of moral purity from His people, where love for Him is intrinsically linked to an active aversion to sin. This echoes the sentiment that [the fear of the LORD is to hate evil](/proverbs/8-13 "Proverbs 8:13 - The Fear of the LORD is Hatred of Evil"). Secondly, it underscores the theme of **divine sovereignty and protection**. Despite the pervasive presence of evil and the threats posed by the wicked, God is portrayed as the ultimate guardian and deliverer of His faithful. This assurance is a recurring motif, promising that God [delivers the righteous out of all their troubles](/psalms/34-19 "Psalm 34:19 - Many are the Afflictions of the Righteous, but the LORD Delivers Him Out of Them All"). Finally, the verse speaks to the **nature of true faith**, demonstrating that genuine devotion to God is not passive but involves a conscious moral choice to align with His character and purposes, actively [abhorring what is evil and holding fast to what is good](/romans/12-9 "Romans 12:9 - Let Love Be Genuine").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hate (Hebrew, _sin'u'_):** This is a strong, active verb implying a deep-seated moral repugnance and aversion, not merely a passive dislike or indifference. It denotes a decisive rejection of evil, aligning one's will and affections against anything that is contrary to God's holy character and righteous commands. This "hatred" is a positive moral stance, an active opposition to all that corrupts and destroys.
* **Preserveth (Hebrew, _shomer'_):** Meaning to guard, keep, or watch over, this word conveys a sense of vigilant, continuous, and protective care. It suggests that God is actively engaged in maintaining the well-being and security of His saints. It is not a one-time act but an ongoing divine commitment to safeguard their lives and spiritual integrity.
* **Saints (Hebrew, _chasidav'_):** Derived from the root _chesed_ (loyal love, covenant faithfulness, steadfast mercy), _chasidav_ refers to those who are devoted to God, who embody His lovingkindness, and who are faithful to His covenant. These are the godly, the pious, or the merciful ones who live in covenant relationship with Him. The term emphasizes their character as much as their status.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Ye that love the LORD, hate evil":** This opening clause is a direct, imperative call to God's people. It establishes a fundamental ethical principle: genuine love for God is not merely an emotional sentiment but manifests as a strong, active moral opposition to evil. This implies a clear discernment between good and evil and a resolute choice to reject the latter in all its forms—thoughts, words, and actions. It underscores that spiritual devotion has tangible ethical implications for daily living.
* **"he preserveth the souls of his saints":** This is a declarative statement of divine promise and action. The LORD Himself is the one who "preserves," indicating His active, vigilant, and continuous care. "Souls" (_nafshot_) here refers to the whole person—their life, being, and very essence—not just an immaterial part. God's preservation is comprehensive, extending to the spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being of those who are devoted to Him. It is an assurance of His unwavering faithfulness to His covenant people.
* **"he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked":** This final clause specifies the nature of God's preservation: He actively rescues His people from the power and oppression of those who are morally corrupt and hostile to God's ways. The "hand of the wicked" is a metaphorical expression for their control, influence, and destructive intentions. This promise assures believers that despite the threats and dangers posed by evil forces, God's sovereign power is greater, and He will ultimately secure their freedom and triumph.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 97:10 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. The verse begins with a clear **imperative** ("hate evil"), directly addressing the audience and demanding a response. This is immediately followed by **declarative statements** ("he preserveth," "he delivereth"), which function as divine promises, providing the motivation and assurance for obeying the imperative. There is a strong use of **antithesis**, contrasting "love the LORD" with "hate evil," and "saints" (God's people) with "the wicked." This highlights the stark moral choice and the clear distinction between those who follow God and those who oppose Him. Furthermore, the phrase "out of the hand of the wicked" is a vivid **metonymy** or **synecdoche**, where "hand" represents the power, control, or grasp of the wicked, making the threat and the deliverance more tangible and impactful. The entire verse also exhibits **synthetic parallelism**, where the second and third clauses expand upon and complete the thought of the first, illustrating the divine response to human obedience.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 97:10 articulates a profound theological truth: genuine love for God is inseparable from a radical rejection of evil. This is not merely a passive dislike but an active, moral hatred for anything that defiles God's holiness or harms His creation. This ethical imperative is grounded in the character of God Himself, who is perfectly righteous and sovereign over all. The verse then pivots to reassure believers that their commitment to holiness is met with divine protection. God's preservation of His saints' "souls" signifies His comprehensive care for their entire being—spiritual, emotional, and physical—ensuring their ultimate security from the schemes and power of the wicked. This underscores God's faithfulness to His covenant people, demonstrating that He is both their moral standard and their ultimate deliverer. It speaks to the assurance of salvation and the ongoing work of God in sanctifying and safeguarding His own.

* [Proverbs 8:13](/proverbs/8-13 "Proverbs 8:13 - The Fear of the LORD is Hatred of Evil")
* [Romans 12:9](/romans/12-9 "Romans 12:9 - Let Love Be Genuine")
* [1 John 2:15](/1_john/2-15 "1 John 2:15 - Do Not Love the World")
* [Amos 5:15](/amos/5-15 "Amos 5:15 - Hate Evil, Love Good")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 97:10 presents a foundational challenge and comfort for every believer. The call to "hate evil" is a summons to radical moral clarity. It means cultivating a deep, visceral aversion to sin in all its forms—not just outward acts, but also the inner attitudes, selfish desires, and corrupting influences that contradict God's character. This active hatred for evil must flow from a genuine, overflowing love for the LORD, recognizing that what grieves Him should grieve us, and what delights Him should delight us. This requires constant vigilance, self-examination, and a willingness to confront sin both within ourselves and in the world around us, without becoming self-righteous or judgmental. It calls for a life of intentional holiness, where we actively choose righteousness over compromise. In this pursuit, the verse offers immense encouragement: we are not left to our own strength. God Himself promises to preserve our souls and deliver us from the hand of the wicked. This assurance should inspire confidence and perseverance, knowing that our ultimate security rests in His unfailing power and faithfulness, enabling us to walk righteously with courage and hope.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does it mean practically to "hate evil" in your daily life, beyond simply avoiding sin?**
* **How does your love for the LORD motivate your opposition to evil, and where might this connection be strengthened?**
* **In what ways have you experienced God's preservation of your "soul" or deliverance from "the hand of the wicked"?**
* **How does the promise of God's preservation empower you to live a life of greater holiness and courage in a fallen world?**

### FAQ
**How can believers "hate evil" without becoming hateful or judgmental towards people?**

Answer: The command to "hate evil" in Psalms 97:10 is a call to a moral stance against sin itself, not against sinners. The Bible consistently distinguishes between the evil act or system and the person caught in it. While we are to abhor sin, we are simultaneously called to love people, even our enemies, and to seek their redemption. Jesus Himself embodied this perfectly: He confronted sin directly and without compromise, yet He extended boundless compassion and grace to sinners. Our "hatred" of evil should manifest as a zealous pursuit of righteousness, a longing for justice, and a commitment to truth, coupled with a deep desire for the restoration and salvation of those enslaved by evil. It means actively opposing systems of injustice and corruption, while praying for and ministering to the individuals involved. The goal is to be holy as God is holy ([Hebrews 12:14](/hebrews/12-14 "Hebrews 12:14 - Pursue Peace and Holiness")), and to [have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them](/ephesians/5-11 "Ephesians 5:11 - Have No Fellowship with Works of Darkness"), all while remembering that we too were once lost and in need of God's deliverance.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 97:10 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the perfect embodiment of one who loved the LORD supremely and, consequently, hated evil absolutely. Unlike humanity, Jesus never succumbed to temptation, perfectly fulfilling the command to "hate evil" in every thought, word, and deed ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus Was Tempted But Without Sin")). His entire ministry was a confrontation with evil—casting out demons, healing diseases (which are consequences of sin in a fallen world), and ultimately, His death on the cross, where He became sin for us to destroy its power ([1 John 3:5](/1_john/3-5 "1 John 3:5 - Jesus Appeared to Take Away Sins")). The promise that God "preserveth the souls of his saints" and "delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked" is realized in Christ's victory over sin, death, and the devil. Through His atoning sacrifice and resurrection, Jesus disarmed the powers of darkness ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over the Powers")) and delivered believers from the domain of darkness into His kingdom ([Colossians 1:13](/colossians/1-13 "Colossians 1:13 - Delivered from the Domain of Darkness")). Now, those who love the LORD and hate evil are united with Christ, and their souls are eternally preserved by Him. Jesus Himself promised that no one can snatch His sheep out of His hand or His Father's hand ([John 10:28](/john/10-28 "John 10:28 - No One Can Snatch Them") and [John 10:29](/john/10-29 "John 10:29 - My Father Is Greater Than All")). Thus, the preservation and deliverance promised in Psalms 97:10 are secured for believers through their union with Christ, guaranteeing their ultimate triumph over evil and eternal security in Him ([Romans 8:38](/romans/8-38 "Romans 8:38 - Nothing Can Separate Us") and [Romans 8:39](/romans/8-39 "Romans 8:39 - From the Love of God")).

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

Proverbs 8:13

The fear of the LORD [is] to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

Romans 12:9

[Let] love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

Psalms 34:14

Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.

Psalms 145:20

The LORD preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy.

Jeremiah 15:21

And I will deliver thee out of the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem thee out of the hand of the terrible.

Daniel 3:28

¶ [Then] Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed [be] the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.

Amos 5:15

Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate: it may be that the LORD God of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph.