Psalms 119:163
I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love.
Original Language Analysis
Historical Context
The ninth commandment prohibits false witness (Exodus 20:16), but the psalm expands this to an internal disposition. Proverbs repeatedly condemns sheqer (Proverbs 6:17, 12:22). In a world of competing truth-claims, loving Torah meant hating falsehood—particularly idolatry's lies about God's character.
Questions for Reflection
- How does loving God's Law necessarily produce hatred for falsehood rather than mere disapproval?
- What 'lies' (<em>sheqer</em>) do you need to cultivate holy hatred toward—culturally acceptable deceptions about identity, purpose, morality?
- How does Jesus as 'the Truth' embodied fulfill and intensify the psalmist's hatred of lying and love of Torah?
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Analysis & Commentary
I hate and abhor lying (שֶׁקֶר שָׂנֵאתִי וַאֲתַעֵבָה, sheqer saneti va'ata'evah)—Two intensifying verbs: sane (hate) and ta'av (abhor, detest, loathe). Sheqer means 'lie, falsehood, deception, emptiness.' The double-verb construction emphasizes vehement rejection. Contrast: but thy law do I love (תּוֹרָתְךָ אָהָבְתִּי, toratekha ahavti). Love for Torah (ahavah) drives hatred of sheqer.
Jesus is 'the truth' (aletheia, John 14:6) and cannot lie (Hebrews 6:18). Satan is 'father of lies' (John 8:44). The psalm's either/or—love Torah or love sheqer—anticipates Christ's 'no man can serve two masters' (Matthew 6:24).