Do I not hate them that hate thee, O Lord?
And do I not loathe them that rise up against thee?
I hate them with perfect hatred;
I count them my enemies.
Today verses 21 and 22 of Psalm 139 are our focus
WOT? Hate?
Aren’t we supposed to love our enemies and pray for those who mistreat us? HOw can we then boast that we hate those who hate God?
Firstly, the Psalmist makes his position clear: those who are God’s enemies are his enemies; he identifies completely with God. This will be costly for it is far easier to persecute a believer than it is to attack God: how would you even do that without hurting His followers? So to make this clear statement leaves no room for ambiguity. This person is on God’s side and if you hate God then you hate him.
Do we try to wriggle out of this? Are we sometimes silent when those who are against God are around? Do we fail to say “Well, I believe” when faith is being ridiculed? Would you or I stand with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego when the tyrant king says “If you worship God you will die? (Daniel 3)
There are two words in this verse both being translated as hate. We could put it as Do I not loathe those who hate thee? I can’t stand those who hate You God, I hate them with perfect hatred.
When Jesus said “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you …” (Matthew 5:43,44) He was showing something of the depth of God’s heart. God loves all, even those who oppose Him.
The Psalmist hates with perfect hatred, that does not mean total hatred but righteous hatred. It is an opposition to, not a desire to destroy.”I do not want them to succeed, I want them disempowered”. God hates sin but wants the sinner saved.
Can you pray for those who have opposed you, hating what they do and even what they are but seeking good and salvation for them?
Advent 2021 