Hating and Loving -- Matthew 5:43-44; Psalm 139:21,22
How are we to love our enemies? How are we to hate those whom God hates? Is there a contradiction between Matthew 5:44 and Psalm 139:21,22? Matthew 5:43 You have heard that it was said, "You must love [Greek transliterated, Agapao, a form of Agape] your neighbor," and "You must hate your enemy." Matthew 5:44 However, I say unto you, love your enemies, and pray concerning those who persecute you. {Psalm 139:21} Jehovah, don't I hate those who hate you? Am I not grieved with those who rise up against you? {Psalm 139:22} I hate them with perfect hatred. They have become my enemies. In Matthew 5:43, Jesus is referring to aspects of the Law and the Prophets regarding human relationships. On the one hand, the Law says we are to "love our neighbor" (Leviticus 19:18), and on the other hand, it tells that David hated those whom Jehovah hates. (Psalm 139:21,22) Was David out of harmony with the command to love one's neighbor? Evidently not, for ...