Psalm 25 19

Psalm 25:19 kjv

Consider mine enemies; for they are many; and they hate me with cruel hatred.

Psalm 25:19 nkjv

Consider my enemies, for they are many; And they hate me with cruel hatred.

Psalm 25:19 niv

See how numerous are my enemies and how fiercely they hate me!

Psalm 25:19 esv

Consider how many are my foes, and with what violent hatred they hate me.

Psalm 25:19 nlt

See how many enemies I have
and how viciously they hate me!

Psalm 25 verses

Psalm 25 19 Meaning

Psalm 25:19 is a fervent plea from the psalmist to God, entreating Him to observe and take active notice of his numerous adversaries who are characterized by their intense, malicious, and unrighteous animosity. It articulates the overwhelming nature of the opposition the psalmist faces and underscores his complete dependence on divine intervention for deliverance from their unjust hatred.

Psalm 25 19 Context

Psalm 25 is a lament, petition, and wisdom psalm, penned by David and structured (though imperfectly) as an acrostic. The psalmist expresses deep personal distress, interweaving pleas for guidance, forgiveness for his sins, and deliverance from shame, with urgent appeals for protection from his adversaries. Verse 19 specifically targets the external threat: the overwhelming quantity and the malicious, unjust nature of his enemies' hatred. This verse is situated within a larger prayer (vv. 16-21) where David shifts focus from his inner spiritual need for mercy and forgiveness to the immediate and pressing danger posed by his numerous, cruel foes, appealing for God's merciful gaze and saving power. The context reflects a period of intense pressure from opposition, both within his own people and from external forces.

Psalm 25 19 Word analysis

• Word by word analysis:

  • Consider (Ra'ah, רָאָה): More than merely "seeing," this imperative conveys an urgent plea for God to "look upon," "perceive," "take notice," or "regard" the situation with a view to intervention. It implies a divine attentiveness that leads to action and justice. This echoes Moses' appeal in Ex 3:7 for God to "see" the affliction of His people.
  • my enemies (Oyevim, אוֹיְבִים): Refers to active adversaries, those who are hostile and actively seek to inflict harm. The possessive "my" emphasizes the direct, personal nature of the conflict and the immediate danger to the psalmist.
  • for they are many (ki rabbim hem, כִּי רַבִּים הֵמָּה): The conjunction "for" (ki) provides the foundational reason for the request to "consider." "Many" (Rabbim) highlights the numerical superiority and overwhelming force of the enemies, signifying the psalmist's vulnerability and inability to contend with them on his own. This echoes numerous psalms where the magnitude of foes is a key element of distress (e.g., Ps 3:1).
  • and they hate me (v'sin'uni, וּשְׂנֵאוּנִי): Sin'ah (שִׂנְאָה) describes a deep, active animosity or aversion, moving beyond mere dislike to hostile intent. The "and" (waw) links their great number with their intense, personal hatred, showing a compounding threat.
  • with cruel hatred (sin'at ḥamas, שִׂנְאַת חָמָס): This is a critical phrase. Ḥamas (חָמָס) denotes violence, wrongdoing, injustice, cruelty, and moral wrong. It clarifies that their hatred is not just intense, but also unfounded, unprovoked, destructive, and deeply malicious. It’s a hatred aimed at causing harm through unjust means, underscoring the righteousness of the psalmist's appeal for divine intervention.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • Consider my enemies: A direct, urgent petition to the sovereign Lord, emphasizing His divine awareness and call to action concerning the psalmist's personal adversaries. It's a prayer for divine recognition of a tangible threat.
  • for they are many: This clause presents the primary justification for the psalmist's fervent plea. The sheer volume of foes creates a situation of severe vulnerability, highlighting the desperate need for divine intervention since human strength is clearly inadequate against such overwhelming numbers.
  • and they hate me with cruel hatred: This phrase details the nature and quality of the opposition. It clarifies that the hatred is not merely passive or reactive but actively malicious, unjust, and destructive, rooted in ḥamas (violence/wrong). This indicates that the enemies’ actions are without legitimate cause and seek to inflict unjust suffering, strengthening the psalmist's appeal to God's justice.

Psalm 25 19 Bonus section

• The prayer in Ps 25:19 reflects a core theological principle found throughout the Bible: God is the ultimate Defender of the righteous against the oppression and unjust violence of the wicked (e.g., Ps 12:5; 140:12).
• The phrase "cruel hatred" or "hatred of violence" is highly significant, portraying enemies whose animosity is inherently intertwined with the desire to inflict wrongful harm. This contrasts sharply with divine justice and the psalmist's own humble petitions for forgiveness of his own sins in this very psalm, illustrating that the enemies' hatred is unjust and not a merited response to his actions.
• This verse prefigures the experiences of Christ and His followers. Jesus Himself was "hated without cause" (Jn 15:25, referencing Ps 69:4), fulfilling the archetype of the righteous sufferer surrounded by malicious foes. Believers today, walking in faith, may likewise experience undeserved hostility, finding resonance and a model for prayer in such psalms.

Psalm 25 19 Commentary

Psalm 25:19 provides a concise yet profound expression of the psalmist's reliance on God in the face of overwhelming and malevolent opposition. The plea to "Consider my enemies" is not a call for vengeful retribution but for God's attentive observation and righteous intervention against forces that seek to inflict unjust harm. The emphasis on "many" enemies highlights the psalmist's powerlessness and vulnerability, making God's intervention absolutely essential. Furthermore, the descriptor "cruel hatred" reveals the unrighteous and violent nature of the adversaries' animosity, clarifying that their enmity is not deserved but borne of malicious intent. This verse models for believers how to voice their distress to God when confronted with injustice and persecution, acknowledging the spiritual reality of undeserved hostility and trusting in God's perfect justice and sovereign power to see, assess, and deliver from all malicious assaults.