Psalms 38:20

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version (1901)

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

Bible in Basic English

They give me back evil for good; they are my haters because I go after the thing which is right.

Free Bible Version

They pay me back evil for good; they accuse me for the good I try to do.

Geneva Bible 1599

They also, that rewarde euill for good, are mine aduersaries, because I follow goodnesse.

King James (Authorized) Version

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

One Unity Resource Bible

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

Translation for Translators

Those who do evil things to me in return for my doing good things to them oppose me because I try to do what is right.

Unlocked Literal Bible

They repay me evil for good; they hurl accusations at me although I have pursued what is good.

Noah Webster Bible

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.

Young's Literal Translation

And those paying evil for good accuse me, Because of my pursuing good.

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.

Summary

In this verse, David expresses his distress over his enemies who repay evil for his good deeds. Despite his loyalty and efforts to do good, he is met with hostility and betrayal. This serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by the righteous and the reality of persecution. It also reflects the human experience of feeling abandoned and mistreated, yet ultimately trusting in God's justice and deliverance.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

Forsake me not, O Lord,.... Or continue not to forsake; for he seems to have been under divine desertion, and might be under apprehensions that God had utterly forsaken him; which he entreats he would not, though his friends had forsook him, and his own strength had failed and left him, Psa 38:10; O my God, be not far from me; as to his gracious presence, and with respect to help and deliverance, otherwise God is not far from any of his creatures, being omnipresent.