Psalms 119:113
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
I hate vain thoughts: but your law do I love.
American King James Version (AKJV)
I hate vain thoughts: but your law do I love.
American Standard Version (ASV)
SAMEKH. I hate them that are of a double mind; But thy law do I love.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
<SAMECH> I am a hater of men of doubting mind; but I am a lover of your law.
Webster's Revision
SAMECH. I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.
World English Bible
I hate double-minded men, but I love your law.
English Revised Version (ERV)
SAMACH. I hate them that are of a double mind; but thy law do I love.
Definitions for Psalms 119:113
Clarke's Psalms 119:113 Bible Commentary
I hate vain thoughts - I have hated סעפים seaphim, "tumultuous, violent men." I abominate all mobs and insurrections, and troublers of the public peace.
Barnes's Psalms 119:113 Bible Commentary
I hate vain thoughts - This commences a new portion of the psalm, distinguished by the Hebrew letter Samech (ס s), answering to our "s." The word rendered "vain thoughts" occurs only in this place. It is rendered by the Septuagint, παρανόμους paranomous - transgressors. So the Latin Vulgate. Luther renders it "die Flattergeister," the frivolous-minded. The word means divided; a man of a divided mind; a man who has no sure faith in regard to divine things, but is driven here and there; a sceptic; a doubter. Compare James 1:8. Thus it refers not to his own thoughts primarily, as being "vain" or worthless, but to a state of mind or heart in general, where there is no firmness, no stability, no settled view: a state of mind wavering, doubtful, skeptical, in regard to religion. What is implied here in reference to what he loved - by stating (in the way of contrast) what he "hated," - would be a mind which was settled in its convictions of truth, and firm in its adherence to truth; a mind which was steadfast in religion, and not vacillating, skeptical, or uncertain on the subject. This denotes that the psalmist sought such a state of mind for himself, and that he valued it in others.
But thy law do I love - I have no "divided" or unsettled feelings in regard to that. I am conscious of a firm attachment to it. This thought he has repeatedly expressed in the psalm.