Psalms 119:163

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 119:163 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “I hate and abhor falsehood; [But] thy law do I love.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

I hate and abhor falsehood; [But] thy law do I love.
Psalms 119:163 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 119

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
163I hate and abhor falsehood; [But] thy law do I love.

What do historical commentaries say?

Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“I hate and abhor lying - The mention of lying here particularly seems to have been suggested by the necessity, from the structure of the psalm, of finding some word at the beginning of the verse which commenced with the letter Schin. At the same time, it is an illustration of the nature of piety, and doubtless there had been numerous occasions in the life of the psalmist when he had seen and experienced the effects of falsehood. This sin, therefore, might occur to him as readily as any other. It is unnecessary to say that religion “forbids” this sin in all its forms. But thy law do I love - Particularly here the law which forbids lying. The psalmist was conscious, as every good man must be,…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“hate: Psa 119:29, Psa 119:113, Psa 119:128, Psa 101:7; Pro 6:16-19, Pro 30:8; Amo 5:15; Rom 12:9; Eph 4:25; Rev 22:15 Psalms 119:164”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification