7/22/19 

Psalm 139:19-22

¹⁹ Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God! O men of blood, depart from me!
²⁰ They speak against you with malicious intent; your enemies take your name in vain.
²¹ Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord? And do I not loathe those who rise up against you?
²² I hate them with complete hatred; I count them my enemies.

This is, as I understand, the most theological of all Psalms.  It is noteworthy that it discusses God’s omniscience, His omnipresence, His mercy, His grace, and by implication His omnipotence.  These are to the author cause for greatest praise and his delight.

But particular is the notice of enemies, both of God and of the saint.  In vs 20 God’s enemies are those who have no regard for the third commandment.  It is both men who hate God and men whom God holds in the utmost of displeasure that are described here.  Look, Romans 8:7 describes this same enemy to God and His law.

 ⁷ For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot.

But we are not left indifferent to the enemies of God.  In vss 21-22 the Psalmist assumes his responsibility toward God’s enemies.  And it is worth our attention that those of whom the writer notices are here described for one reason, they are God’s enemies.  He is not neutral toward them.  He “hates” them with a perfect hatred.  This is a responsibility that must be held in tension with that of loving our neighbor.