Does God hate? Yes.
But can we truly define the context of that “hate?” This is just as difficult a question as the one we believe is easy; Does God love? Yes!
The most important thing to remember is that God is God, we are not. (Exodus 20:2) He is the God of justice. (Luke 18:7) He has mercy on who He wants to have mercy. (Romans 9:15) His way is higher than ours. (Isaiah 55:9) He is holy and righteous. (Psalm 145:17) It will take “Eternal Life” to know the One, True God. (John 17:3) To know God’s hatred and to know the length, breadth and height of His love will take an eternity. (Ephesians 3:18) As Job and David concur sometimes “we speak of things too wonderful for us to understand.” (Job 42:3, Psalm 139:6) We simply need to remain joyous, thankful and prayerful in our current faith (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) and allow the Holy Spirit to direct our revelations and growth in the Truth.
In Psalm 139:21-22 David states “O Lord, shouldn’t I hate those who hate you? Shouldn’t I despise those who oppose you? Yes, I hate them with total hatred, for your enemies are my enemies.”
From my understanding of this Psalm, I believe David is repenting. He knows God knows him. David acknowledges God’s supreme sovereignty over all creation and his life. He asked God to search him for offensive ways so he can have victory over his ungodliness and lead him in God’s way. I believe his reference to God’s hatred was a test against his own self-righteousness.
I believe knowing just a tidbit of God’s hatred would spiritually overwhelm us in our present state, just as Moses could not look fully upon the face of God. It is much better for us to seek the knowledge of His love for it is the present, real glimpse we have of eternity.
I leave you with this great quote by George Horne taken from “Treasury of the Psalms.”
“A faithful servant hath the same interests, the same friends, the same enemies, with his Master, whose cause and honour he is, upon all occasions, in duty bound to support and maintain. A good man hates, as God himself doth; he hates not the persons of men, but their sins; not what God made them, but what they have made themselves. We are neither to hate the men on account of the vices they practise, nor love the vices for the sake of the men who practise them. He who observes invariably this distinction, fulfils the perfect law of charity, and hath the love of God and of his neighbour abiding in him.” — George Horne.
Prayer
Lord Jesus! Help us to examine ourselves daily, so that we may deny the stuff that keeps us from wholeheartedly following You. There is so much hatred in this world – help us to be the love and kindness, the peace and joy, the salt and light You called us to be. May it honor You, glorify You and testify to Your power in this world! Amen