New English Translation
Psalms 38:20
20They repay me evil for the good I have done; though I have tried to do good to them, they hurl accusations at me.
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
18Yes, I confess my wrongdoing, and I am concerned about my sins. 19But those who are my enemies for no reason are numerous; those who hate me without cause outnumber me. They repay me evil for the good I have done; though I have tried to do good to them, they hurl accusations at me. 21Do not abandon me, O Lord! My God, do not remain far away from me! 22Hurry and help me, O Lord, my deliverer!
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 7:4or have wronged my ally, or helped his lawless enemy,
- Psalms 35:12They repay me evil for the good I have done; I am overwhelmed with sorrow.
- Psalms 109:3They surround me and say hateful things; they attack me for no reason.
- 1 Samuel 19:4So Jonathan spoke on David’s behalf to his father Saul. He said to him, “The king should not sin against his servant David, for he has not sinned against you. On the contrary, his actions have been very beneficial for you.
- 1 Samuel 23:5So David and his men went to Keilah and fought the Philistines. He took away their cattle and thoroughly defeated them. David delivered the inhabitants of Keilah.
- 1 Samuel 25:16Both night and day they were a protective wall for us the entire time we were with them, while we were tending our flocks.
- Jeremiah 18:20Should good be paid back with evil? Yet they are virtually digging a pit to kill me. Just remember how I stood before you pleading on their behalf to keep you from venting your anger on them.
- Matthew 5:10“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.
- John 10:32Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many good deeds from the Father. For which one of them are you going to stone me?”
- 1 Peter 3:13For who is going to harm you if you are devoted to what is good?
- 1 Peter 4:14If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory, who is the Spirit of God, rests on you.
- 1 John 3:12not like Cain who was of the evil one and brutally murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his deeds were evil, but 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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