Amplified Bible
Psalms 38:20
20They repay evil for good, they attack and try to kill me, Because I follow what is good.
Psalms 38:20 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries; because I follow the thing that good is.
- New International Version (NIV)Those who repay my good with evil lodge accusations against me, though I seek only to do what is good.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Those who render me evil for good accuse me because I follow after good.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Those also who render evil for good, They are my adversaries, because I follow what is good.
Context of Psalms 38:20
18For I do confess my guilt and iniquity; I am filled with anxiety because of my sin. 19But my [numerous] enemies are vigorous and strong, And those who hate me without cause are many. They repay evil for good, they attack and try to kill me, Because I follow what is good. 21Do not abandon me, O Lord; O my God, do not be far from me. 22Make haste to help me, O Lord, my Salvation.
Read all of Psalms 38Psalms 38:20 word by word
וּמְשַׁלְּמֵ֣י רָ֭עָה תַּ֣חַת טוֹבָ֑ה יִ֝שְׂטְנ֗וּנִי תַּ֣חַת רָֽדְפִי טֽוֹב׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Psalms 38:20
- Psalms 7:4If I have done evil to him who was at peace with me, Or without cause robbed him who was my enemy,
- Psalms 35:12They repay me evil for good, To the sorrow of my soul.
- Psalms 109:3They have also surrounded me with words of hatred, And have fought against me without a cause.
- 1 Samuel 19:4Then Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father and said to him, “May the king not sin against his servant David, since he has not sinned against you, and since his deeds have been very beneficial to you.
- 1 Samuel 23:5So David and his men went to Keilah and fought the Philistines; he drove away their cattle and struck them with a great slaughter. So David rescued the inhabitants of Keilah.
- 1 Samuel 25:16They were a wall [of protection] to us both night and day, all the time that we were with them tending the sheep.
- Jeremiah 18:20Should good be repaid with evil? Yet they have dug a pit for me. Remember [with compassion] that I stood before You To speak good on their behalf, To turn Your anger away from them.
- Matthew 5:10“Blessed [comforted by inner peace and God’s love] are those who are persecuted for doing that which is morally right, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever].
- John 10:32Jesus answered them, “I showed you many good works [and many acts of mercy] from the Father; for which of them are you stoning Me?”
- 1 Peter 3:13Now who is there to hurt you if you become enthusiastic for what is good?
- 1 Peter 4:14If you are insulted and reviled for [bearing] the name of Christ, you are blessed [happy, with life-joy and comfort in God’s salvation regardless of your circumstances], because the Spirit of glory and of God is resting on you [and indwelling you—He whom they curse, you glorify].
- 1 John 3:12and not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother [Abel]. And why did he murder him? Because Cain’s deeds were evil, and his brother’s were righteous.
Commentaries on Psalms 38:20
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 20Because I follow the thing that good is - The translation is as bad as the sentence is awkward. טוב רדפי תחת tachath rodpi tob, because I follow goodness. There is a remarkable addition to this verse in the Arabic: "They have rejected me, the beloved one, as an abominable dead carcass; they have pierced my body with nails." I suppose the Arabic translator meant to refer this to Christ. None of the other Versions have any thing like this addition; only the…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 20They also that render evil for good - They whose characteristic it is to return evil for good, are opposed to me. This implies that those who were now seeking his ruin had been formerly benefitted by him. They were persons who cherished no grateful recollection of favors bestowed on them, but who found a pleasure in persecuting and wronging their benefactor. Compare Psalm 35:12-16. “Are my adversaries.” Are now opposed to me; have become my enemies…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 12-22Verses 12-22 Wicked men hate goodness, even when they benefit by it. David, in the complaints he makes of his enemies, seems to refer to Christ. But our enemies do us real mischief only when they drive us from God and our duty. The true believer's trouble will be made useful; he will learn to wait for his God, and will not seek relief from the world or himself. The less we notice the unkindness and injuries that are done us, the more we consult the quiet…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 17-20The psalmist, unable to bear his suffering and close to collapse (compare Psalm 15:5), admits his sin (see Psalm 32:5).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 19-2019-20. Still, while humbled before God, he is the victim of deadly enemies, full of malice and treachery. enemies are lively--literally, "of life," who would take my life, that is, deadly.Read the comment
Topics related to Psalms 38:20
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Psalms 38
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- The Treasury of David
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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