Psalms 38:20

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 will declare mine iniquity, I am grieved for my sin. 19But mine enemies are lively, they are strong; and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied: And they that render evil for good are adversaries unto me; because I pursue what is good. 21Forsake me not, Jehovah; O my God, be not far from me. 22Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation.

Psalms 38:20 word by word

וּמְשַׁלְּמֵ֣י רָ֭עָה תַּ֣חַת טוֹבָ֑ה יִ֝שְׂטְנ֗וּנִי תַּ֣חַת רָֽדְפִי טֽוֹב׃Read the interlinear

Cross-references for Psalms 38:20

• Psalms 7:4If I have rewarded evil to him that was at peace with me; (indeed I have freed him that without cause oppressed me;)
• Psalms 35:12They reward me evil for good, [to] the bereavement of my soul.
• Psalms 109:3And with words of hatred have they encompassed me; and they fight against me without a cause.
• 1 Samuel 19:4And Jonathan spoke good of David to Saul his father, and said to him, Let not the king sin against his servant, against David, because he has not sinned against thee; for also what he did was very advantageous to thee;
• 1 Samuel 23:5And David and his men went to Keilah, and fought against the Philistines, and brought away their cattle, and smote them with a great slaughter. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah.
• 1 Samuel 25:16They were a wall to us both by night and day, all the while we were with them feeding the sheep.
• Jeremiah 18:20Shall evil be recompensed for good? For they have digged a pit for my soul. Remember how I stood before thee to speak good for them, to turn away thy wrath from them.
• Matthew 5:10Blessed they who are persecuted on account of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of the heavens.
• John 10:32Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewn you of my Father; for which work of them do ye stone me?
• 1 Peter 3:13And who shall injure you if ye have become imitators of that which [is] good?
• 1 Peter 4:14If ye are reproached in [the] name of Christ, blessed [are ye]; for the [Spirit] of glory and the Spirit of God rests upon you: [on their part he is blasphemed, but on your part he is glorified.]
• 1 John 3:12not as Cain was of the wicked one, and slew his brother; and on account of what slew he him? because his works were wicked, and those of his brother 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

• Afflictions and Adversities
• Conviction
• Ingratitude
• Persecution

In the dictionaries

• Afar
• Arrow
• Deceit
• Fret
• Plague
• Bring
• Pentateuch
• Psalms, Book of
• Sick; Sickness

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