Psalms 109:5
Psalms 109:5 in Multiple Translations
They repay me evil for good, and hatred for my love.
And they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love.
And they have rewarded me evil for good, And hatred for my love.
They have put on me evil for good; hate in exchange for my love.
They pay me back with evil instead of good, with hatred instead of love.
And they haue rewarded me euil for good, and hatred for my friendship.
And they set against me evil for good, And hatred for my love.
They have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love.
And they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love.
The Lord at thy right hand hath broken kings in the day of his wrath.
In return for my doing good things for them and loving them, they do evil things to me and hate me.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 109:5
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 109:5 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יָּ֘שִׂ֤ימוּ
עָלַ֣/י
רָ֭עָה
תַּ֣חַת
טוֹבָ֑ה
וְ֝/שִׂנְאָ֗ה
תַּ֣חַת
אַהֲבָתִֽ/י
וַ/יָּ֘שִׂ֤ימוּ
sûwm
H7760
to set
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
עָלַ֣/י
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep | Suff
רָ֭עָה
raʻ
H7451
bad
N-fs
תַּ֣חַת
tachath
H8478
underneath
Prep
טוֹבָ֑ה
ṭôwb
H2896
pleasant
Adj
וְ֝/שִׂנְאָ֗ה
sinʼâh
H8135
hating
Conj | N-fs
תַּ֣חַת
tachath
H8478
underneath
Prep
אַהֲבָתִֽ/י
ʼahăbâh
H160
love
N-fs | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 109:5
וַ/יָּ֘שִׂ֤ימוּ
sûwm
H7760
"to set"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
This Hebrew word means to put or place something, and is used in many different ways in the Bible, such as to appoint or determine something. It is first used in Genesis to describe God's creation. In the KJV, it is translated as 'appoint' or 'set' in various contexts.
Definition: : make/establish 1) to put, place, set, appoint, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to put, set, lay, put or lay upon, lay (violent) hands on 1a2) to set, direct, direct toward 1a2a) to extend (compassion) (fig) 1a3) to set, ordain, establish, found, appoint, constitute, make, determine, fix 1a4) to set, station, put, set in place, plant, fix 1a5) to make, make for, transform into, constitute, fashion, work, bring to pass, appoint, give 1b) (Hiphil) to set or make for a sign 1c) (Hophal) to be set
Usage: Occurs in 550 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring, call (a name), care, cast in, change, charge, commit, consider, convey, determine, [phrase] disguise, dispose, do, get, give, heap up, hold, impute, lay (down, up), leave, look, make (out), mark, [phrase] name, [idiom] on, ordain, order, [phrase] paint, place, preserve, purpose, put (on), [phrase] regard, rehearse, reward, (cause to) set (on, up), shew, [phrase] stedfastly, take, [idiom] tell, [phrase] tread down, (over-)turn, [idiom] wholly, work. See also: Genesis 2:8; Leviticus 20:5; 1 Samuel 21:13.
עָלַ֣/י
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
רָ֭עָה
raʻ
H7451
"bad"
N-fs
Ra means bad or evil, referring to moral or natural harm. It describes adversity, affliction, or distress, and is often used to convey a sense of misery or injury.
Definition: : harmful adj 1) bad, evil 1a) bad, disagreeable, malignant 1b) bad, unpleasant, evil (giving pain, unhappiness, misery) 1c) evil, displeasing 1d) bad (of its kind-land, water, etc) 1e) bad (of value) 1f) worse than, worst (comparison) 1g) sad, unhappy 1h) evil (hurtful) 1i) bad, unkind (vicious in disposition) 1j) bad, evil, wicked (ethically) 1j1) in general, of persons, of thoughts 1j2) deeds, actions
Usage: Occurs in 623 OT verses. KJV: adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, [phrase] displease(-ure), distress, evil((-favouredness), man, thing), [phrase] exceedingly, [idiom] great, grief(-vous), harm, heavy, hurt(-ful), ill (favoured), [phrase] mark, mischief(-vous), misery, naught(-ty), noisome, [phrase] not please, sad(-ly), sore, sorrow, trouble, vex, wicked(-ly, -ness, one), worse(-st), wretchedness, wrong. (Incl. feminine raaah; as adjective or noun.). See also: Genesis 2:9; Judges 9:57; 2 Kings 21:6.
תַּ֣חַת
tachath
H8478
"underneath"
Prep
This Hebrew word means underneath or below, often used to describe physical locations or positions. It appears in various books, including Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to indicate something is under or beneath something else. The word has several related meanings.
Definition: : under/below 1) the under part, beneath, instead of, as, for, for the sake of, flat, unto, where, whereas n m 1a) the under part adv accus 1b) beneath prep 1c) under, beneath 1c1) at the foot of (idiom) 1c2) sweetness, subjection, woman, being burdened or oppressed (fig) 1c3) of subjection or conquest 1d) what is under one, the place in which one stands 1d1) in one's place, the place in which one stands (idiom with reflexive pronoun) 1d2) in place of, instead of (in transferred sense) 1d3) in place of, in exchange or return for (of things mutually interchanged) conj 1e) instead of, instead of that 1f) in return for that, because that in compounds 1g) in, under, into the place of (after verbs of motion) 1h) from under, from beneath, from under the hand of, from his place, under, beneath
Usage: Occurs in 450 OT verses. KJV: as, beneath, [idiom] flat, in(-stead), (same) place (where...is), room, for...sake, stead of, under, [idiom] unto, [idiom] when...was mine, whereas, (where-) fore, with. See also: Genesis 1:7; Deuteronomy 7:24; 1 Kings 20:42.
טוֹבָ֑ה
ṭôwb
H2896
"pleasant"
Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means good or welfare, describing something that is beneficial or pleasing, like a good deed or a happy time. It is used in many contexts, including Genesis and Psalms. This word is often translated as 'good' or 'beautiful'.
Definition: adj 1) good, pleasant, agreeable 1a) pleasant, agreeable (to the senses) 1b) pleasant (to the higher nature) 1c) good, excellent (of its kind) 1d) good, rich, valuable in estimation 1e) good, appropriate, becoming 1f) better (comparative) 1g) glad, happy, prosperous (of man's sensuous nature) 1h) good understanding (of man's intellectual nature) 1i) good, kind, benign 1j) good, right (ethical) Aramaic equivalent: tav (טָב "fine" H2869)
Usage: Occurs in 521 OT verses. KJV: beautiful, best, better, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, [idiom] fair (word), (be in) favour, fine, glad, good (deed, -lier, -liest, -ly, -ness, -s), graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, liketh (best), loving, merry, [idiom] most, pleasant, [phrase] pleaseth, pleasure, precious, prosperity, ready, sweet, wealth, welfare, (be) well(-favoured). See also: Genesis 1:4; Ruth 2:22; 2 Chronicles 3:8.
וְ֝/שִׂנְאָ֗ה
sinʼâh
H8135
"hating"
Conj | N-fs
This Hebrew word means to hate or have hatred towards someone or something. It can describe the hatred people have towards God or towards each other, and it appears in various forms throughout the Bible.
Definition: 1) hating, hatred, hate 1a) hatred 1a1) of man, God
Usage: Occurs in 16 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] exceedingly, hate(-ful, -red). See also: Numbers 35:20; Proverbs 10:12; Psalms 25:19.
תַּ֣חַת
tachath
H8478
"underneath"
Prep
This Hebrew word means underneath or below, often used to describe physical locations or positions. It appears in various books, including Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to indicate something is under or beneath something else. The word has several related meanings.
Definition: : under/below 1) the under part, beneath, instead of, as, for, for the sake of, flat, unto, where, whereas n m 1a) the under part adv accus 1b) beneath prep 1c) under, beneath 1c1) at the foot of (idiom) 1c2) sweetness, subjection, woman, being burdened or oppressed (fig) 1c3) of subjection or conquest 1d) what is under one, the place in which one stands 1d1) in one's place, the place in which one stands (idiom with reflexive pronoun) 1d2) in place of, instead of (in transferred sense) 1d3) in place of, in exchange or return for (of things mutually interchanged) conj 1e) instead of, instead of that 1f) in return for that, because that in compounds 1g) in, under, into the place of (after verbs of motion) 1h) from under, from beneath, from under the hand of, from his place, under, beneath
Usage: Occurs in 450 OT verses. KJV: as, beneath, [idiom] flat, in(-stead), (same) place (where...is), room, for...sake, stead of, under, [idiom] unto, [idiom] when...was mine, whereas, (where-) fore, with. See also: Genesis 1:7; Deuteronomy 7:24; 1 Kings 20:42.
אַהֲבָתִֽ/י
ʼahăbâh
H160
"love"
N-fs | Suff
This word means love or affection, describing human love for others or God's love for His people. It is used in many contexts, including romantic love and friendship. The Bible often talks about God's love.
Definition: 1) love 1a) human love for human object 1a1) of man toward man 1a2) of man toward himself 1a3) between man and woman 1a4) sexual desire 2) God's love to His people
Usage: Occurs in 37 OT verses. KJV: love. See also: Deuteronomy 7:8; Song of Solomon 2:4; Psalms 109:4.
Study Notes — Psalms 109:5
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 109:5 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 109:5
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 109:5
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 109:5
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 109:5
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 109:5
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 109:5
- Sermons on Psalms 109:5
Context — The Song of the Slandered
3They surround me with hateful words and attack me without cause.
4In return for my love they accuse me, but I am a man of prayer.
5They repay me evil for good, and hatred for my love.
6Set over him a wicked man; let an accuser stand at his right hand. 7When he is tried, let him be found guilty, and may his prayer be regarded as sin.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 17:13 | If anyone returns evil for good, evil will never leave his house. |
| 2 | Genesis 44:4 | They had not gone far from the city when Joseph told his steward, “Pursue the men at once, and when you overtake them, ask, ‘Why have you repaid good with evil? |
| 3 | Psalms 38:20 | Those who repay my good with evil attack me for pursuing the good. |
| 4 | 2 Samuel 15:31 | Now someone told David: “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” So David pleaded, “O LORD, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!” |
| 5 | Psalms 55:12–15 | For it is not an enemy who insults me; that I could endure. It is not a foe who rises against me; from him I could hide. But it is you, a man like myself, my companion and close friend. We shared sweet fellowship together; we walked with the crowd into the house of God. Let death seize them by surprise; let them go down to Sheol alive, for evil is with them in their homes. |
| 6 | Psalms 35:7–12 | For without cause they laid their net for me; without reason they dug a pit for my soul. May ruin befall them by surprise; may the net they hid ensnare them; may they fall into the hazard they created. Then my soul will rejoice in the LORD and exult in His salvation. All my bones will exclaim, “Who is like You, O LORD, who delivers the afflicted from the aggressor, the poor and needy from the robber?” Hostile witnesses come forward; they make charges I know nothing about. They repay me evil for good, to the bereavement of my soul. |
| 7 | Luke 22:47–48 | While He was still speaking, a crowd arrived, led by the man called Judas, one of the Twelve. He approached Jesus to kiss Him. But Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” |
| 8 | Luke 6:16 | Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor. |
| 9 | 2 Samuel 15:12 | While Absalom was offering the sacrifices, he sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, to come from his hometown of Giloh. So the conspiracy gained strength, and Absalom’s following kept increasing. |
| 10 | John 13:18 | I am not speaking about all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But this is to fulfill the Scripture: ‘The one who shares My bread has lifted up his heel against Me.’ |
Psalms 109:5 Summary
[Psalms 109:5 is saying that sometimes people will hurt us or be mean to us even when we have been kind to them, which can be very painful and confusing. But as Christians, we are called to love and pray for those who hurt us, just like Jesus taught us in Matthew 5:44. We can trust that God is sovereign and just, and He will ultimately make things right, as seen in Psalms 37:5-6. By trusting in God's goodness, we can respond to evil with good and show the world what it means to truly love and forgive.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to repay evil for good?
This phrase, found in Psalms 109:5, means to respond with harm or malice towards someone who has shown kindness or done something good for us, as seen in the example of Joseph's brothers in Genesis 37:23-24, who sold him into slavery despite his love and loyalty towards them.
Why does the psalmist say they repay hatred for his love?
The psalmist is expressing the pain of being rejected and hated by those he has shown love and kindness to, a sentiment also expressed by Jesus in Matthew 5:44, where He teaches us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us.
Is it okay to feel hurt when people repay evil for good?
Yes, it is natural to feel hurt or betrayed when we are repaid with evil for our good deeds, but as seen in Psalms 55:22, we are encouraged to cast our cares upon God and trust in His goodness and justice.
How can we respond when faced with evil for good?
We can respond by praying for those who have wronged us, as the psalmist does in Psalms 109:4, and by trusting in God's sovereignty and justice, as seen in Romans 12:14-21, where we are taught to overcome evil with good.
Reflection Questions
- In what ways have I experienced being repaid with evil for good, and how did I respond?
- How can I show love and kindness to those who may not deserve it, just as the psalmist did?
- What are some ways I can trust in God's goodness and justice when faced with hurt or betrayal?
- How can I pray for those who have wronged me, and what does this reveal about my heart towards them?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 109:5
And they have rewarded me evil for good,.... For the good words and sound doctrine he delivered to them; for the good works and miracles he wrought among them, to the healing of them; see John 10:32.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 109:5
And they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love. And they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love - (Psalms 35:7; Psalms 35:12; Psalms 38:20.)
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 109:5
Psalms 109:5 And they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love.Ver. 5. And they have rewarded me] See Psalms 109:4. Flectere naturam gratia nulla potest.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 109:5
5. they have rewarded me &c.] Lit. they have laid evil upon me in return for good. Cp. Psalms 35:12; Psalms 38:20; Jeremiah 18:20.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 109:5
And they have rewarded me evil for good - literally, “They have placed against me.” They have put it in my way; it is what they had to set before me. See the notes at Psalms 35:12, where the same expression occurs.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 109:5
4, 5. For my love—Instead of “my love,” or instead of returning love for “my love,” they are my adversaries. And so, Psalms 109:5. This “rewarding evil for good and hatred for love” is the purest diabolism.
Sermons on Psalms 109:5
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
God's Goodness Toward Men Basely Requited by Charles Finney | Charles Finney emphasizes God's goodness towards humanity, illustrating how people often respond with ingratitude and evil in return for His love and kindness. He reflects on the n |
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(How to Understand the Kjv Bible) 38 Psalm 55 by Keith Simons | Keith Simons explores Psalm 55, reflecting on the betrayal of King David by his trusted advisor Ahithophel, paralleling it with Judas Iscariot's betrayal of Jesus. The psalm expres |
|
A Christian on Earth, Still in Heaven by Thomas Watson | Thomas Watson preaches about the spiritual paradise found in the Scriptures, particularly in the book of Psalms, which offers both delight and usefulness to every Christian. He hig |
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Ii Samuel 17:23 by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith discusses the tragic story of Ahithophel, a once-trusted advisor to King David who became a poor loser after aligning himself with Absalom. Despite his wisdom, Ahithoph |
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Belly Worshippers by Ian Paisley | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the consequences of rejecting Christ and living a life of sin. He warns that those who reject Christ not only face damnation themselves, but |
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Steering by Gods Compass by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon on love, the preacher delves into the concept of 'phileo' love, which is a friendship type of love based on emotions and personal attachment. 'Phileo' is a love that |
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One of you...! by Aaron Dunlop | In this sermon, the preacher reflects on the words of Jesus in the upper room before his crucifixion, where he reveals that one of his disciples will betray him. The preacher empha |