Psalm 38:20
New International Version
Those who repay my good with evil lodge accusations against me, though I seek only to do what is good.

New Living Translation
They repay me evil for good and oppose me for pursuing good.

English Standard Version
Those who render me evil for good accuse me because I follow after good.

Berean Standard Bible
Those who repay my good with evil attack me for pursuing the good.

King James Bible
They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries; because I follow the thing that good is.

New King James Version
Those also who render evil for good, They are my adversaries, because I follow what is good.

New American Standard Bible
And those who repay evil for good, They become my enemies, because I follow what is good.

NASB 1995
And those who repay evil for good, They oppose me, because I follow what is good.

NASB 1977
And those who repay evil for good, They oppose me, because I follow what is good.

Legacy Standard Bible
And those who repay evil for good, They accuse me, for I pursue what is good.

Amplified Bible
They repay evil for good, they attack and try to kill me, Because I follow what is good.

Christian Standard Bible
Those who repay evil for good attack me for pursuing good.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Those who repay evil for good attack me for pursuing good.

American Standard Version
They also that render evil for good Are adversaries unto me, because I follow the thing that is good.

Contemporary English Version
and they repay evil for good because I try to do right.

English Revised Version
They also that render evil for good are adversaries unto me, because I follow the thing that is good.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
They pay me back with evil instead of good, and they accuse me because I try to do what is good.

Good News Translation
Those who pay back evil for good are against me because I try to do right.

International Standard Version
They reward my good with evil, opposing me because I seek to do good.

Majority Standard Bible
Those who repay my good with evil attack me for pursuing the good.

NET Bible
They repay me evil for the good I have done; though I have tried to do good to them, they hurl accusations at me.

New Heart English Bible
They who also render evil for good are adversaries to me, because I follow what is good.

Webster's Bible Translation
They also that render evil for good are my adversaries; because I follow the thing that is good.

World English Bible
They who render evil for good are also adversaries to me, because I follow what is good.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And those paying evil for good accuse me, "" Because of my pursuing good.

Young's Literal Translation
And those paying evil for good accuse me, Because of my pursuing good.

Smith's Literal Translation
And mine enemies living, they were strong: and they hating me with falsehood were multiplied.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
They that render evil for good, have detracted me, because I followed goodness.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Those who render evil for good have dragged me down, because I followed goodness.

New American Bible
Repaying me evil for good, accusing me for pursuing good.

New Revised Standard Version
Those who render me evil for good are my adversaries because I follow after good.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
They reward me evil for good; they reproach me because I seek after good things.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
They have paid me evil for good and have regarded me with malice because I have sought good.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
They also that repay evil for good Are adversaries unto me, because I follow the thing that is good.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
They that reward evil for good slandered me; because I followed righteousness.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Do Not Rebuke Me in Your Anger
19Many are my enemies without cause, and many hate me without reason. 20Those who repay my good with evil attack me for pursuing the good. 21Do not forsake me, O LORD; be not far from me, O my God.…

Cross References
Matthew 5:44
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Luke 6:27-28
But to those of you who will listen, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, / bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

Romans 12:14
Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse.

1 Peter 3:9
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

John 15:18-19
If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first. / If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.

Matthew 10:22
You will be hated by everyone because of My name, but the one who perseveres to the end will be saved.

John 16:33
I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world!”

2 Timothy 3:12
Indeed, all who desire to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

1 John 3:13
So do not be surprised, brothers, if the world hates you.

Romans 8:35-37
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? / As it is written: “For Your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” / No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

Proverbs 25:21-22
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. / For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.

Exodus 23:4-5
If you encounter your enemy’s stray ox or donkey, you must return it to him. / If you see the donkey of one who hates you fallen under its load, do not leave it there; you must help him with it.

Proverbs 24:17
Do not gloat when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart rejoice when he stumbles,

Job 31:29-30
If I have rejoiced in my enemy’s ruin, or exulted when evil befell him— / I have not allowed my mouth to sin by asking for his life with a curse—

Genesis 50:20
As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people.


Treasury of Scripture

They also that render evil for good are my adversaries; because I follow the thing that good is.

render

Psalm 7:4
If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; (yea, I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy:)

Psalm 35:12
They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul.

Psalm 109:3-5
They compassed me about also with words of hatred; and fought against me without a cause…

because

Matthew 5:10
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

John 10:32
Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?

1 Peter 3:13,17,18
And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? …

Jump to Previous
Accuse Adversaries Evil Follow Good Haters Oppose Paying Pursue Pursuing Render Repay Right Slander
Jump to Next
Accuse Adversaries Evil Follow Good Haters Oppose Paying Pursue Pursuing Render Repay Right Slander
Psalm 38
1. David moves God to take compassion on his pitiful case














Those who repay my good with evil
This phrase captures the deep sense of betrayal and injustice experienced by the psalmist. The Hebrew root for "repay" is "shalam," which means to make amends or to recompense. In this context, it highlights the moral inversion where good deeds are met with malevolence. Historically, this reflects the experiences of many biblical figures, such as David, who often faced hostility despite his righteous actions. This phrase serves as a reminder of the fallen nature of humanity and the reality of living in a world where righteousness is not always rewarded by men, but it is always seen by God.

attack me
The Hebrew word for "attack" is "satam," which implies a deep-seated enmity or hostility. This is not a mere disagreement but an active pursuit of harm. In the biblical narrative, this reflects the spiritual warfare that believers face, where the forces of evil are constantly at odds with those who pursue righteousness. The psalmist's experience is a microcosm of the larger spiritual battle that Christians are called to endure, reminding believers to remain steadfast in their faith despite opposition.

for pursuing the good
The phrase "pursuing the good" is rooted in the Hebrew word "radaph," which means to chase or follow after. This indicates an active and intentional effort to seek what is morally right and pleasing to God. The psalmist's commitment to "the good" reflects a life dedicated to God's commandments and principles. In a broader scriptural context, this pursuit is echoed in the New Testament, where believers are encouraged to "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness" (Matthew 6:33). This pursuit is not without its challenges, as it often sets the believer against the prevailing cultural norms and values, yet it is a pursuit that aligns with God's will and promises eternal reward.

Verse 20. - They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries (comp. Psalm 35:12). Because I follow the thing that good is; literally, because I follow good.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Those who repay
וּמְשַׁלְּמֵ֣י (ū·mə·šal·lə·mê)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine plural construct
Strong's 7999: To be safe, to be, completed, to be friendly, to reciprocate

my good
טוֹבָ֑ה (ṭō·w·ḇāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good

with
תַּ֣חַת (ta·ḥaṯ)
Preposition
Strong's 8478: The bottom, below, in lieu of

evil
רָ֭עָה (rā·‘āh)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 7451: Bad, evil

attack
יִ֝שְׂטְנ֗וּנִי (yiś·ṭə·nū·nî)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | first person common singular
Strong's 7853: To be or act as adversary

me for
תַּ֣חַת (ta·ḥaṯ)
Preposition
Strong's 8478: The bottom, below, in lieu of

pursuing
רָֽדְפִי־ (rā·ḏə·p̄î-)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | first person common singular
Strong's 7291: To pursue, chase, persecute

the good.
0 (0)
0
Strong's Hebrew


Links
Psalm 38:20 NIV
Psalm 38:20 NLT
Psalm 38:20 ESV
Psalm 38:20 NASB
Psalm 38:20 KJV

Psalm 38:20 BibleApps.com
Psalm 38:20 Biblia Paralela
Psalm 38:20 Chinese Bible
Psalm 38:20 French Bible
Psalm 38:20 Catholic Bible

OT Poetry: Psalm 38:20 They who also render evil for good (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 38:19
Top of Page
Top of Page