Psalms 139:22
I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.
Original Language Analysis
תַּכְלִ֣ית
them with perfect
H8503
תַּכְלִ֣ית
them with perfect
Strong's:
H8503
Word #:
1 of 6
completion; by implication, an extremity
Historical Context
Written in the context of life-threatening persecution, David's 'perfect hatred' wasn't abstract theology but lived reality—compromise with God's enemies meant apostasy. The early church faced similar tensions (Revelation 2:14-16)—tolerating false teachers brought divine rebuke. Church history shows both healthy discernment and tragic extremes when applying this principle.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you maintain 'perfect hatred' toward evil systems and spiritual wickedness while showing redemptive love to people caught in them?
- What enemies of God have you made peace with that you should be opposing?
- How do verses 23-24 (asking God to search your heart) provide the necessary balance to verses 19-22?
Analysis & Commentary
I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies. Perfect hatred (תַּכְלִית שִׂנְאָה, tachlit sin'ah) means complete, full, thorough hatred—David's opposition to God's enemies is total, not partial. This isn't emotional instability but principled conviction: those who are God's enemies become David's enemies because David has identified fully with God's cause. I count them mine enemies (לְאוֹיְבִים הָיוּ לִי, le-oyevim hayu li) shows deliberate choice: David consciously adopts God's judgments as his own.
This verse must be understood Christologically: Jesus perfectly embodied this principle by opposing Satan and spiritual evil with complete resolve while simultaneously dying for human enemies to make them friends (Romans 5:10). 'Perfect hatred' in the believer is directed at sin, Satan, and spiritual forces of wickedness—while maintaining redemptive love toward people enslaved by them. David's prayer culminates (vv. 23-24) by asking God to search his own heart, showing that holy hatred begins with self-examination.