Psalms 119:163 (ASV)

Passage

I hate and abhor falsehood; [But] thy law do I love.

Nearby Context

Psalms 119:161 Princes have persecuted me without a cause; But my heart standeth in awe of thy words.

Psalms 119:162 I rejoice at thy word, As one that findeth great spoil.

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

Psalms 119:164 Seven times a day do I praise thee, Because of thy righteous ordinances.

Psalms 119:165 Great peace have they that love thy law; And they have no occasion of stumbling.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "hate", "abhor", "falsehood", and "love". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "hate" and "abhor", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 162's "I rejoice at thy word As one..." into verse 164's "Seven times a day do I praise...", so "hate" and "abhor" belong inside that flow. In Psalms context, the local focus is worship, trust, the LORD's kingship, and covenant mercy.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "hate" and "abhor" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.