But mine enemies are lively, and they are strong: and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied.
There is so much in this Psalm, traditionally believed to have been written by David in connection with his sin with Bathsheba (and never forget his having her husband killed).
It’s difficult to imagine that a man in such anguish of soul as is described in the first eight verses would have ever had the fortitude to cry out:
Psalms 38:21-22 (KJV)
Forsake me not, O LORD: O my God, be not far from me.
Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation.
There are people who would accuse him of not being repentant because he would even claim to hope in God as he does in verse fifteen.
But then he says there were those who hated him wrongfully.
Here’s my focus: It’s wrongful to hate him, period.
- It is wrongful to hate him because of his sin.
- It is wrongful to hate him if he did not repent in a manner satisfactory to his enemies.
- It is wrongful to hate him for claiming to hope in God.
- It is wrongful to hate him for asking God for salvation.
To hate a person is to hate them wrongfully.
There are actions that must be disciplined, that’s for sure.
But there is no justifiable reason to hate the individual.
#Psalm38v19 #WithoutHatred #BiblicalRepentance #HopeInGod #DailyVisitWithGod
Hatred Is Never Justified: Even Guilty People Need Mercy
Sin must be confronted, but hatred must never be excused!
Have you ever found yourself judging someone so harshly for their wrongdoing that you forgot they were still someone God loved?
David's words in Psalm 38:19 challenge us to examine not only the sins of others but also the attitudes of our own hearts.
Share this Daily Visit with God and encourage someone to consider the difference between biblical discipline and sinful hatred.
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