Psalm 11 Devotional
By Pastor Lawrence

Is the common belief that “God hates the sin but loves the sinner” really supported by Scripture? We’ve already heard David’s strong language in Psalm 5:5-6, where he states that God “hates” and “abhors” evildoers. In our passage today, verse 5 reinforces this sentiment, declaring that God’s “soul hates the wicked and those who love violence.” Some argue that God can hate the wicked, but godly individuals should not. Is there biblical support for this viewpoint? David himself expresses his feelings of hatred in several Psalms. In Psalm 31:6, he boldly proclaims, “I hate those who pay regard to worthless idols,” and in Psalm 119:113, he unapologetically declares, “I hate the double-minded.” Moreover, in Psalm 139:21-22, David asks, “Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord? And do I not loathe those who rise up against you? I hate them with complete hatred; I count them my enemies.” David doesn’t appear to hold back in expressing these sentiments; rather, he anticipates that God will approve of his unwavering stance against the wicked. After making these declarations, he promptly asks God to search his heart, examine his thoughts, and reveal any wickedness within him. However, his motive isn’t necessarily to assess his attitude toward the wicked but to rid his own life of any wickedness that might liken him to the wicked in any way.

David also frequently recounts in the Psalms how the wicked hate him and relentlessly pursue him to the point of death. Much of the imagery David employs to describe his relationship with God during these trials is rooted in the ceaseless pursuit of his enemies. This compels David to seek refuge in the Lord, seeing Him as his high tower, shield, fortress, savior, and deliverer. In the present psalm, David vividly describes the enemy’s nocturnal hunt with bows and arrows as they seek to kill the upright in heart. Some unknown person advises him to flee like a bird to the mountains, but David questions the reliability of any worldly refuge or fortress. He recognizes that every wall can be breached, every fortress can be overrun, and even the very foundations of cities can be destroyed. So where can the righteous find refuge?

From the outset, they should turn to the Lord, for He is the sole secure haven and the unwavering foundation in this unstable world. God not only despises the wicked but also loves the righteous, safeguarding them from those who seek their destruction. His vigilant eye never closes, as He neither slumbers nor sleeps. His omnipotent power can always be depended upon, as His reach extends wherever it is needed. His justice is steadfast, for He not only judges the actions of the wicked but also scrutinizes the hearts of the righteous. Therefore, David prays for God to shower coals upon the wicked, causing them to drink from a cup of fire, sulfur, and scorching wind.

Although this prayer may seem foreign to us, as many imprecatory prayers do, when we pray, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven,” we are essentially praying for the same outcome. We not only look forward to Christ’s reign on earth but also to the righteous judgment of the world, including the judgment of the wicked in accordance with God’s righteous anger. Of course, we also pray for the Lord to persuade and transform sinners through the Spirit of grace, but this latter prayer does not contradict the former. We can pray for both grace and justice, as God is glorified in both aspects. His power and justice are glorified by dealing with vessels of wrath, and His grace is magnified through his vessels of mercy. We are encouraged to offer both types of prayers. What we are discouraged from doing is seeking vengeance against our enemies ourselves; instead, we are exhorted to entrust it to God’s hands. This is precisely why imprecatory prayers are allowed: to give it over to God to determine what should be done with His enemies and ours. He is the judge of all the earth and the sovereign king who knows the end from the beginning. Therefore, we are urged to leave it in His hands, appealing to our deliverer to do what is right in His eyes.