Psalm 31:6 I have hated them that regard lying vanities: but I trust in the Lord.
David’s response to life’s issues and worldly problems is to hate the lying vanities, false idols, and put his trust in the Lord alone. To hate is to despise, ignore, avoid, and shun something. We are often tempted to turn to the world to solve our problems: “If I only had more money.” “If I had a different spouse.” “If I had another job, or position, or home, or more things.” The world is always tempting us with something new or different or more to make life better.
1 John warns us not to “love not the world or the things of the world.” Whatever we look to for good becomes an idol, which in the end delivers only death and destruction. We learn, sometimes the hard way, to turn away from, even hate, the false promises and the empty lies the world offers. We even learn through the Word and the Spirit to hate and despise the people through whom these temptations come. We hate the sin, but still love the sinner.
Hate feels like a strong word, but sin and death are stronger and more dangerous. However, love is the greatest force in the world, and Jesus overcomes all. God’s love is the most powerful, as seen in the Resurrection. And we respond by loving and trusting Him above all things. We trust in the Lord alone for a better life. And He gives it freely.