Psalms 139:21
Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?
Original Language Analysis
הֲלֽוֹא
H3808
הֲלֽוֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 6
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יְהוָ֥ה׀
them O LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֥ה׀
them O LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 6
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Cross References
Psalms 119:158I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word.Psalms 31:6I have hated them that regard lying vanities: but I trust in the LORD.Revelation 2:2I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:2 Chronicles 19:2And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the LORD.Revelation 2:6But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.Psalms 26:5I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked.Psalms 119:136Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.Psalms 15:4In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.Jeremiah 13:17But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the LORD'S flock is carried away captive.Mark 3:5And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.
Historical Context
David faced enemies who were simultaneously political and theological threats—they opposed God's anointed king and thus God's plan. The concept of 'holy hatred' appears throughout Scripture (Psalm 97:10, Amos 5:15, Romans 12:9). Jesus expressed fierce anger at those who profaned the temple (John 2:13-17) and defiled God's sheep (Matthew 23).
Questions for Reflection
- How do you distinguish between hating God's enemies (their rebellion) and hating people personally?
- What things that God hates have you learned to tolerate or even embrace in contemporary culture?
- How does Jesus's command to love enemies integrate with David's call to hate those who hate God?
Analysis & Commentary
Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee? David's rhetorical questions demand assent: loving God requires hating His enemies. Hate (שָׂנֵא, sane) is strong language, but it's directed at those who hate God—not personal enemies but enemies of righteousness. Grieved (אֶתְקוֹטָט, etqotat, from קוּט, qut) means to loathe, feel disgust, be weary with—moral revulsion at evil.
Those that rise up against thee (תְּקוֹמְמֶיךָ, teqomemecha) are active rebels, insurgents against divine authority. This verse reflects biblical 'holy hatred'—not personal malice but alignment with God's moral judgments. Revelation 2:6 praises the Ephesian church: 'you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.' Love for God produces corresponding opposition to what opposes God. David's question form shows this isn't optional for those who know God intimately.