Psalms 139:22
What does Psalms 139:22 mean?
A plain-English look at Psalms 139:22 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Psalms 139:22 means
David intensifies his declaration, stating, "I hate them with perfect hatred: They are become mine enemies." The phrase "perfect hatred" does not imply a sinful, vengeful malice, but rather a complete and uncompromising theological opposition to evil and those who embody it as adversaries of God. For David, God's enemies are inherently his own enemies, reflecting his complete alignment with God's righteous character. This illustrates an unyielding commitment to divine justice.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000I hate them with perfect hatred: They are become mine enemies.
KJV
King James Version · 1611I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901I hate them with perfect hatred: They are become mine enemies.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949My hate for them is complete; my thoughts of them are as if they were making war on me.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862<FI> With<Fi> perfect hatred I have hated them, Enemies they have become to me.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Not available in this translation
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890I hate them with perfect hatred; I account them mine enemies.
Context
Building on the declaration of hatred and grief for God's enemies in verse 21, this verse escalates the intensity of David's sentiment with the phrase "perfect hatred." It clarifies the nature of his opposition, reinforcing his complete alignment with God against His adversaries. This strong, declarative conclusion to his stance against the wicked then prepares the reader for a dramatic shift back to personal introspection and prayer at the psalm's end.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 101:3
I will set no base thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; It shall not cleave unto me.
- Luke 14:26
If any man cometh unto me, and hateth not his own father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
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