Jesus quoted verse 19 to his apostles on the night he was betrayed. John 15:25 records his word, “But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: ‘They hated me without reason.'” (John 15:25) Enemies without cause and hate without reason are common in the Psalter. (38:19, 69:4, 109:3, 119:78, 86, 161, and especially 69:4) Hate without cause for Jesus’ disciples is common to this day.
Jesus had been explaining and foretelling the world’s hate for his disciples when he quoted David. “If the world hates you,” he told them, “keep in mind that it hated me first.” (John 15:18) The people who have hate-produced actions are defined in these verses. David and Jesus experienced the same hateful actions from the same kind of people. Time is not changing the human heart. They gloat (19), maliciously wink the eye (19), do not speak peacefully (20), devise false accusations (20), and rejoice when they can justify their hate (21, 25).
Jesus’ and David’s reaction to hate without reason are examples to follow. First, they were not surprised. Secondly, they did not respond to hate with hate. They did not argue or plot revenge. They relied on God. They cried out to the Almighty, “O LORD, you have seen this; be not silent. Do not be far from me, O Lord.” Lastly, we know that we are not alone for all Jesus’ followers experience hate without cause at times in their lives.
