Psalms 139:21
What does Psalms 139:21 mean?
A plain-English look at Psalms 139:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Psalms 139:21 means
Here, David aligns himself completely with God's perspective, asserting his hatred for those who hate God and his grief for those who rise up against Him. This is not a malicious personal vendetta, but a righteous indignation born out of his deep devotion to God. His love for God is so profound that it naturally produces an aversion to whatever opposes the divine. This reveals the intensity and purity of his commitment to the Lord.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Do not I hate them, O Jehovah, that hate thee? And am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?
KJV
King James Version · 1611Do not I hate them, O Lord, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Do not I hate them, O Jehovah, that hate thee? And am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Are not your haters hated by me, O Lord? are not those who are lifted up against you a cause of grief to me?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Do not I hate, Jehovah, those hating Thee? And with Thy withstanders grieve myself?
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Not available in this translation
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Do not I hate them, O Jehovah, that hate thee? and do not I loathe them that rise up against thee?
Context
This verse deepens David's stance against God's adversaries, moving from merely stating their wickedness in verse 20 to an explicit declaration of his personal hatred and grief for them. It highlights the depth of his devotion to God, explaining why he so strongly separates himself from the wicked. This strong emotional declaration naturally leads into a more intense expression of this "perfect hatred" in the following verse.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 119:136
Streams of water run down mine eyes, Because they observe not thy law. צ TSADHE.
- 2 Chronicles 19:2
And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the wicked, and love them that hate Jehovah? for this thing wrath is upon thee from before Jehovah.
- Jeremiah 13:17
But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret for your pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because Jehovah’s flock is taken captive.
- Psalms 26:5
I hate the assembly of evil-doers, And will not sit with the wicked.
- Mark 3:5
And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved at the hardening of their heart, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he stretched it forth; and his hand was restored.
- Luke 19:41
And when he drew nigh, he saw the city and wept over it,
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