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November 11 Daily Devotional

Hatred with Grief

Frans Bakker

Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee? I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies. —Psalm 139:21-22

Bible Reading

Psalm 139

Devotional

David states that he hates those who hate God. His hatred springs forth from a deep love for God. He who deeply loves God understands the sentiments of David. Only a sampling of God’s love is needed for man to love Him in return and exercise hatred for those who despise Him. When love is present, a separation takes place between those who serve God and those who do not serve God. This separation occurs in the world, in the church, and in the family. There is a godly hatred toward something unbearable in the unregenerate, namely sin. This hatred contains a holy intolerance, not against the person, but against his sin. One can no longer join in with these people, neither can one work along with them, nor eat and drink, nor laugh with them. Neither can one dress as they do, or watch what they watch.

This hatred does not take place with fists or knives. No use is made of false tongues or harsh eyes. If these things were to constitute one’s hatred against God’s enemies, then they would justifiably be questioned, for it would be nothing more than hatred against one’s own enemies. Our self-centered flesh lies in wait to use the words of our text against those who inflict violence on us. Even David knew well how man’s own spirit could be drawn to serve the flesh. Therefore, he adds to his prayer, “Search me, O God.” For in this hatred lies no harshness, no falsehood, no desire for revenge, and no sinful ambition, but at the bottom of this hatred lies sorrow. Immediately after this, David states in our text: “Am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?”

Natural hatred has pleasure in the ruin of another person, but godly hatred only has grief. It hurts the poet that the ungodly behave as they do. It grieves him; it gives him pain. With this grief he has to enter his inner closet and he must experience the words of Psalm 119:136: “Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.”

It is, therefore, a hatred that is experienced by means of tears. For those who have felt the pain of their own sin against God also have grief because of the sins of others.

Godly hatred comes with tears—tears of the soul. We must conclude: “We wish that there would be more of this hatred.” It would be prudent for more ministers to be burdened about the backslidings of their congregations. It would be wise for more parents to be burdened with the aversions of their children. In fact, it would be sensible for all God’s people to have hatred and grief toward the sins of others. Yes, may godly hatred be present among all those who have received the sign of holy baptism on their forehead!

Godly hatred is a hatred that flesh and blood has not revealed. There is sufficient hatred according to flesh and blood. Man is filled with hatred towards God and his neighbor. But is there hatred against the enemies of God? Is there hatred with tears? Is there still grief about one’s own sin, and yet also because of the sins of others? Are there still inner chambers in our hearts where this hatred is exercised with tears of the soul?

The words of Psalm 139 are intended to cause us shame. They are written to awaken us out of the sleep of death. Death cannot hate, because it cannot love. Yet, where there is life, hatred is found. It is wise, dear reader, to consider how this hatred is exercised in the life of the believer.

 

From The Everlasting Word by Frans Bakker, compiled and translated by Gerald R. Procee. Reformation Heritage Books and Free Reformed Publications, 2007. Used by permission. For further information, click here.

 

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