Psalm 97 10

Psalm 97:10 kjv

Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.

Psalm 97:10 nkjv

You who love the LORD, hate evil! He preserves the souls of His saints; He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked.

Psalm 97:10 niv

Let those who love the LORD hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.

Psalm 97:10 esv

O you who love the LORD, hate evil! He preserves the lives of his saints; he delivers them from the hand of the wicked.

Psalm 97:10 nlt

You who love the LORD, hate evil!
He protects the lives of his godly people
and rescues them from the power of the wicked.

Psalm 97 verses

Psalm 97 10 Meaning

Psalm 97:10 conveys a clear ethical imperative and a powerful divine promise. It calls those who genuinely love the LORD to actively abhor evil in all its forms, seeing it as a natural outflow of their devotion to God. In return, the verse assures these loyal and righteous individuals that the LORD Himself meticulously protects their very being and delivers them from the destructive grasp and oppressive power of the wicked. It underlines the interconnectedness of devotion to God, moral uprightness, and divine preservation.

Psalm 97 10 Context

Psalm 97 is one of the "Kingship Psalms" (Psa 93, 95-99), which primarily declare and celebrate Yahweh's reign as King over all the earth. The chapter begins with a cosmic announcement of God's enthronement, causing earth to rejoice and islands to be glad (v. 1). It describes His presence with clouds and darkness, fire and lightning, indicative of His awesome power and consuming judgment against wickedness and idolatry (vv. 2-5). The heavens proclaim His righteousness, and all peoples see His glory, resulting in shame for idolaters (vv. 6-7) and joy for Zion and the daughters of Judah because of His righteous judgments (vv. 8-9). This verse (v. 10) serves as a moral application and promise arising from God's sovereign kingship: because the LORD is King, worthy of worship, and judgmental against evil, His devoted followers are called to reflect His character and can expect His protection. Historically, the psalm may have served to bolster the faith of Israelites surrounded by idolatrous and oppressive nations, reassuring them of God's ultimate authority and their secure standing in Him. It subtly functions as a polemic against the impotence of false gods (v. 7, 9) contrasted with the true power of Yahweh to both judge evil and protect His people.

Psalm 97 10 Word analysis

• You who love the LORD (’ohevê Yahweh):

  • ’ohevê (אוהבי): This is a participle, indicating an ongoing state of "loving" or "those who are lovers." It describes an enduring disposition, not a fleeting emotion. It speaks of a chosen, active affection.
  • Yahweh (יהוה): The sacred, covenant name of God, emphasizing His personal relationship with His people and His faithfulness. This is not a generic deity but the one true God who has revealed Himself.
  • Significance: The command that follows is directed at those already in a loving covenant relationship with God. True love for the LORD is the prerequisite for the righteous hatred of evil.

• hate evil (śin'u ra'):

  • śin'u (שִׂנְאוּ): This is an imperative verb, a direct command. It signifies a strong, active aversion, abhorrence, or even hostility toward something. It's not passive disapproval but active moral opposition.
  • ra' (רַע): This is a broad term for evil, wickedness, misfortune, harm, or moral depravity. It encompasses all that is contrary to God's character and righteous law, including injustice, idolatry, and personal sin.
  • Significance: This phrase is a powerful call to moral discrimination. Love for God necessitates an intense, active rejection of all that contradicts Him. It defines a true lover of the LORD not by sentimentality, but by ethical commitment.

• He preserves (yishmōr):

  • shamar (שָׁמַר): This verb means "to keep," "to guard," "to protect," or "to watch over." It implies attentive, watchful care and active security.
  • Significance: This emphasizes God's vigilant and proactive role in safeguarding His people, not just a passive allowance of their existence.

• the souls (nafshōth):

  • nefesh (נֶפֶשׁ): Often translated "soul," but in Hebrew context, it frequently refers to the entire person, the individual life, or vital being, not solely the non-physical part. It encapsulates their entire existence and identity.
  • Significance: God's preservation is holistic, covering the entirety of the person, their well-being, and their very existence. It extends beyond mere physical safety to their spiritual integrity and eternal destiny.

• of His saints (ḥăsiḏaw):

  • ḥāsîd (חָסִיד): This term denotes "godly ones," "pious ones," or "faithful ones." It describes those who show and experience ḥeseḏ (covenant loyalty, lovingkindness). They are consecrated to God and characterized by ethical integrity stemming from their devotion.
  • Significance: These are not just any people, but specifically those characterized by ḥeseḏ – reflecting God’s own steadfast love and embodying His righteousness in their lives, thus affirming they are the ones who truly "love the LORD" and "hate evil."

• He delivers (yatzîlêm):

  • natsal (נָצַל): This verb means "to deliver," "to rescue," "to snatch away," or "to set free." It indicates a strong, active intervention to pull someone out of danger or from the grip of another.
  • Significance: It highlights God’s power and readiness to actively intervene and rescue His people from oppressive or dangerous situations, not merely protecting them but liberating them from harm.

• out of the hand (miy-yad):

  • yad (יָד): Literally "hand," but here it is a metonymy for "power," "control," "dominion," or "grasp."
  • Significance: This implies the power or destructive influence that the wicked hold or attempt to exert. The deliverance is specifically from their oppressive or harmful control.

• of the wicked (r'shāʿîm):

  • rasha' (רְשָׁעִים): This refers to "wicked," "guilty," or "unrighteous" people. They are those who act contrary to God's law, oppress others, and embrace evil. They are the antagonists of God and His ḥāsîd.
  • Significance: Clearly identifies the source of external threat and opposition from whom God promises deliverance.

Words-group Analysis:

• "You who love the LORD, hate evil!": This forms a divine command that links deep, personal affection for God with a strong moral stand against wickedness. It establishes an unbreakable connection between one's devotion and one's ethics. This is not just intellectual assent but a transformative call to action and character. It reflects that love for God is holistic, demanding conformity to His moral nature.
• "He preserves the souls of His saints; He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked.": This is the divine promise, a twofold assurance. God's shamar (preservation/guarding) and natsal (deliverance/rescue) cover both the holistic well-being (nafshōth) and the active liberation from external oppressors (r'shāʿîm). This promise provides comfort and reinforces God's faithfulness and sovereignty over all evil forces. It is God's response to the righteous living of His people.

Psalm 97 10 Bonus section

• The structure of the verse mirrors God's attributes and human response: His absolute kingship demands our ethical purity, and our purity invites His unwavering protection. It beautifully interweaves divine expectation with divine grace.
• The call to "hate evil" is not merely about avoiding specific bad deeds, but cultivating an inherent revulsion to the very nature of evil itself, aligning one's heart with God’s holy disposition. This includes recognizing evil not just in others, but potentially in one's own desires and intentions.
• While God preserves and delivers from the wicked, the Bible teaches that this doesn't guarantee an absence of suffering or even martyrdom for believers (Matt 10:22, Rev 12:11). Rather, it signifies that even through affliction, their ultimate nefesh (life/soul/eternal destiny) is secure, and God’s power ultimately triumphs over all forces of wickedness, either through temporal rescue or ultimate glorification beyond this life.
• The phrase "the wicked" can refer to individuals, groups, or even oppressive spiritual forces. God's promise covers all forms of antagonism against His people. This theme of divine deliverance is repeatedly seen in biblical history, from the Exodus to Christ's victory over sin and death, to future eschatological deliverance.

Psalm 97 10 Commentary

Psalm 97:10 stands as a foundational statement regarding the ethical demands on God's people and the assurance of His divine protection. The initial imperative, "You who love the LORD, hate evil!", defines the character of true devotion. Love for God is not merely sentimental affection but is demonstrated through active moral alignment with His holy nature. Just as God abhors evil (Psa 5:4; Heb 1:9), so too must His true worshippers. This "hatred" is a profound, resolute rejection of all that is contrary to God’s righteousness, whether in personal sin, social injustice, or idolatry. It implies discernment, commitment, and courage to oppose wrongdoing.

The verse then transitions seamlessly into a glorious promise: "He preserves the souls of His saints; He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked." This divine assurance flows directly from the preceding command. God commits to meticulously guard and keep the very lives and being of His ḥāsîd—those who are set apart for Him and embody His loving-kindness by hating evil. The preservation is holistic, touching every aspect of their nefesh (entire being), extending even to eternal security. Furthermore, God pledges active deliverance from the "hand" or power of the wicked, signifying His intervention to rescue them from oppressive systems, physical threats, or the destructive influence of those hostile to Him. While believers may experience suffering, this promise assures ultimate preservation and deliverance, demonstrating God's sovereign power and faithfulness over all earthly and spiritual wickedness. It means that the fate of the righteous is ultimately secure in God's mighty hand, even in the face of strong opposition.