What does Psalms 119:163 mean?
"I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love." - Psalms 119:163

The verse Psalms 119:163 in the King James Version of the Bible reads, "I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love." This verse is found within the longest chapter in the Bible, which is a celebration of God's law and the importance of living in accordance with it.
The theme of this verse centers around the moral and ethical integrity of God's law and the contrast between the righteous path of truth and the deceitful nature of lying. The psalmist expresses a deep-seated hatred and disgust for lying and deceit, emphasizing the great value placed on truthfulness and sincerity. This sentiment reflects a fundamental principle found throughout the Bible: the importance of honesty and integrity in one's interactions with others and with God.
The context of this verse can be found within Psalm 119, a prayerful meditation on the goodness and authority of God's law. Throughout this chapter, the psalmist extols the virtues of God's word, expressing a deep love and reverence for its precepts. The psalmist's love for God's law is rooted in its ability to guide and instruct, offering wisdom, discernment, and moral direction.
Within the particular verse of Psalms 119:163, the psalmist contrasts their abhorrence of lying with their love for God's law. This demonstrates a clear prioritization of truth and righteousness, as opposed to the deceptive practices of dishonesty and falsehood. The psalmist's commitment to upholding the principles of God's law is unwavering, emphasizing the transformative power of truth and the importance of living a life that is grounded in honesty and integrity.
Symbolism plays a significant role in interpreting this verse. The juxtaposition of "hating and abhorring lying" with "loving thy law" serves as a powerful contrast between darkness and light, deceit and truth, and moral corruption and righteousness. The insidious nature of lying is juxtaposed with the purity and goodness of God's law, highlighting the dichotomy between the ways of the world and the ways of God.
Furthermore, this verse underscores the timeless and universal struggle between good and evil, truth and falsehood. It serves as a poignant reminder of the moral imperative to reject deception and embrace the truth. The symbol of God's law represents the ultimate source of guidance and moral authority, providing a steadfast foundation for living a life of integrity and righteousness.
In a broader theological context, this verse reflects the overarching biblical emphasis on truth and righteousness. Throughout the Bible, lying and deceit are condemned as sinful and antithetical to God's nature. Conversely, God's law is upheld as a beacon of truth and moral excellence, guiding believers towards a life of obedience and authenticity.
In conclusion, Psalms 119:163 in the King James Version of the Bible encapsulates the profound moral and ethical significance of embracing truth and rejecting lying. The verse illuminates the inherent goodness and transformative power of God's law, emphasizing the importance of living a life that is anchored in honesty, integrity, and moral uprightness. This verse truly serves as a timeless and resonant reminder of the enduring value of truth and righteousness in a world plagued by deception and falsehood.
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Psalms 119:163 - "I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love."
"I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love." - Psalms 119:163
Psalms 119:153 - "Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law."
Psalms 119:174 - "I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight."
Psalms 119:61 - "The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law."
Psalms 119:32 - "I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart."
"For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven." - Psalms 119:89
Psalms 119:176 - "I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments."
"Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes." - Psalms 119:155
Psalms 119:119 - "Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies."
"I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word." - Psalms 119:158
"Righteous art thou, O LORD, and upright are thy judgments." - Psalms 119:137
Psalms 119:3 - "They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways."
"Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful." - Psalms 119:138
Psalms 119:162 - "I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil."
"Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently." - Psalms 119:4
Psalms 119:24 - "Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors."
Psalms 119:36 - "Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness."
Psalms 119:70 - "Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law."
Psalms 119:56 - "This I had, because I kept thy precepts."
Psalms 119:60 - "I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments."
Psalms 119:45 - "And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts."
"It is time for thee, LORD, to work: for they have made void thy law." - Psalms 119:126
"Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage." - Psalms 119:54
Psalms 119:103 (KJVA) 103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
"The proud have digged pits for me, which are not after thy law." - Psalms 119:85
"And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved." - Psalms 119:47
Psalms 119:16 - "I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word."
"The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple." - Psalms 119:130
Psalms 119:122 - "Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me."