Psalms 31:6 Meaning: When Hatred and Trust Meet
I hate those who regard lying vanities, but I trust in Yahweh.
I have hated them that regard lying vanities: but I trust in the Lord.
I hate them that regard lying vanities; But I trust in Jehovah.
I have hated the observers of lying vanities, And I toward Jehovah have been confident.
I have hated them that observe lying vanities; and as for me, I have confided in Jehovah.
Meaning in one sentence
Psalm 31:6 shows David rejecting idols and trusting God. But does this 'hatred' contradict Jesus' call to love? Learn the deeper meaning.
Context
David is in deep trouble. Enemies have set traps for him, and he feels his life slipping away. He cries out to God for rescue, begging Him to be a rock and a fortress. In the middle of this desperate prayer, he makes a surprising claim about his own character. He says he has always hated those who put their hope in empty things, idols, false gods, anything that promises safety but cannot deliver. This is not a boast; it is a declaration of loyalty. David is saying to God: I have not run to other helpers. I have stayed with You. And because of that, he trusts that God will not abandon him.
Key Words
Two key words carry this verse's weight. The first is regard. Commentators note it means to 'observe, keep, or pay attention to' something. It is the kind of focused attention we give to what we truly depend on. The people David speaks of fix their eyes on 'lying vanities', idols that are empty and false, promising much but giving nothing. The second word is trust, a settled confidence that does not shift. David does not say he is trying to trust or hoping to trust. He says, 'I trust in Yahweh.' It is a present, active reliance, the opposite of regarding vanities. One is a gaze that leads to disappointment; the other is a rest that leads to deliverance.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians have read this verse as a rejection of anything that competes with God for our faith. Protestant commentators like Matthew Henry see the 'lying vanities' as idols and also as any false confidence, including our own righteousness. Catholic readers often note that the hatred is directed at the objects of false trust, not at the people themselves; the Catechism teaches that we must reject idolatry while loving the idolater. Early church fathers spiritualized the phrase to include heresies and worldly distractions. Across traditions, the core agreement is that the psalmist is drawing a sharp line: he will not look to anything or anyone but God for his hope. The tension with loving others remains, but most see this hatred as a rejection of falsehood, not a personal attack.
A common misunderstanding
A common misreading is that David is expressing a personal hatred for other human beings, which seems to contradict Jesus' command to love our enemies. In fact, his hatred is for 'those who regard lying vanities', meaning, he hates the practice of trusting in false gods. He is making a stand against idolatry, not against people as persons. The verse is about whose side you are on, not about whom you despise.
Living This Out
This week, take a quiet look at where you place your trust. Maybe it is the approval of a boss, the security of a savings account, or the hope that a relationship will fix your loneliness. None of those are bad in themselves, but when they become the thing you turn to first, the thing you 'regard' for safety, they become lying vanities. They promise what only God can give. David's declaration invites you to name those false trusts and let them go. Then, like him, say to God: But I trust in You. That is not just a statement. It is a decision you make fresh every morning.
Main takeaway: God alone is worthy of our trust; everything else that promises security is a lie that can only disappoint.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
This verse says we should hate things that are not real and not trust in them, but trust in God. That means we don't put our hope in toys or treats, but in God who always loves us.
For ages 9, 12
David says he hates those who trust in 'lying vanities', empty things that promise happiness but can't deliver. In our world, that could be popularity, video games, or getting good grades. None of those are bad, but when they become the most important thing, they let us down. God wants us to put our trust in Him because He is the only one who never fails.
Questions People Ask
What are 'lying vanities' in Psalm 31:6?
They are idols, false gods or anything people look to for salvation that cannot deliver. Commentators see them as empty, deceptive things that promise help but give nothing, unlike the true God who keeps His word.
Why does David say he hates those who regard lying vanities?
David is not expressing personal hatred for people themselves. He is declaring that he rejects the practice of trusting in false gods. It is a strong way to say he has chosen God's side and will not worship idols, not a license to despise individuals.
How can this verse be reconciled with Jesus' command to love our enemies?
Jesus calls us to love our enemies as people, but He also taught us to worship God alone and reject falsehood. The hatred here is directed at the false worship, not at the person. Christians are to love the idolater while rejecting the idol.
What does it mean to 'regard' lying vanities?
The word 'regard' means to observe, pay attention to, or honor. It suggests a focused trust. Those who regard lying vanities look to them for help and protection, giving them the attention that belongs to God alone.
For pastors & researchers
Hebrew interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study