Psalm 35:12 kjv
They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul.
Psalm 35:12 nkjv
They reward me evil for good, To the sorrow of my soul.
Psalm 35:12 niv
They repay me evil for good and leave me like one bereaved.
Psalm 35:12 esv
They repay me evil for good; my soul is bereft.
Psalm 35:12 nlt
They repay me evil for good.
I am sick with despair.
Psalm 35 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Psa 38:20 | They also that render evil for good are adversaries to me, because I follow the thing that is good. | Unjust return for goodness, adversaries of the righteous. |
| Psa 109:4-5 | For my love they are my adversaries... They have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love. | Repayment of love with hate, reflecting severe malice. |
| Jer 18:20 | Shall evil be recompensed for good? for they have digged a pit for my soul. | Prophetic cry against ungrateful malicious intent. |
| Psa 41:9 | Yea, mine own familiar friend... hath lifted up his heel against me. | Betrayal from those shown kindness, often close. |
| Jn 10:32 | Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me? | Jesus's direct confrontation with those returning evil for good. |
| Mt 27:39-44 | And they that passed by reviled him... likewise also the chief priests... and the robbers... | The ultimate example of Christ enduring hatred despite his grace. |
| Isa 53:3 | He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief. | Prophecy of the Messiah's suffering from human rejection. |
| Lk 23:34 | Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. | Christ's response to those who "repaid evil for good". |
| 1 Sam 19:4-5 | Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul... and hazarded his life... | David, often repaid with hatred despite loyalty. |
| Prov 17:13 | Whoso rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house. | Divine warning against the act described in Psa 35:12. |
| Rom 12:17 | Recompense to no man evil for evil. | New Testament instruction not to reciprocate evil. |
| 1 Pet 3:9 | Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing. | Christian conduct of enduring and overcoming evil with good. |
| Lk 6:27-28 | Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, bless them that curse you... | Radical Christic teaching on responding to hatred. |
| Prov 25:21-22 | If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water... | Advocating kindness to adversaries as a response to animosity. |
| 2 Tim 3:12 | Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. | The reality of suffering for righteousness' sake in the Christian life. |
| Heb 12:3 | Consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself... | Exhortation to look to Christ's endurance of hostility. |
| 1 Cor 4:12-13 | Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it... | Apostolic example of suffering evil without retaliation. |
| Acts 7:52 | Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? | The consistent pattern of God's messengers facing unjust treatment. |
| Psa 7:4-5 | If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me... let him persecute my soul... | David's self-vindication, denying returning evil. |
| Job 2:10 | What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? | Reflects on the source and nature of suffering, even if from man. |
| Psa 55:12-14 | For it was not an enemy... but it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and my acquaintance. | Pain of betrayal from those close, akin to repayment. |
| Gal 4:16 | Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth? | Paul experiencing rejection for delivering truth/good. |
| Psa 69:10-12 | I wept, and chastened my soul with fasting... I became also a proverb to them. | Suffering mockery and derision, despite spiritual disciplines. |
Psalm 35 verses
Psalm 35 12 Meaning
This verse encapsulates the bitter experience of severe injustice and profound ingratitude. It describes a situation where the psalmist, despite having shown acts of kindness and benevolence, is met with deliberate harm, malice, and destruction aimed at the very core of his being or soul. It portrays a deep perversion of justice and human decency, highlighting the pain of unprovoked malevolence against an benefactor.
Psalm 35 12 Context
Psalm 35 is a fervent plea from David for divine deliverance from treacherous enemies who persecute him unjustly. It is a imprecatory psalm, where the psalmist appeals to God to judge his adversaries. David expresses his profound distress, acknowledging his own blameless conduct towards them, having previously shown empathy and even grief when they were ill (Psa 35:13-14). Yet, in return, they reward his goodwill with malevolent schemes, mockery, and false accusations (Psa 35:15-16), seeking his destruction. This verse, Psalm 35:12, forms a pivotal complaint, stating the heart of the injustice: receiving malicious harm for the kindness he had extended, culminating in a desire for the "spoiling" or devastation of his very being. The broader context highlights David's righteous suffering and his absolute reliance on God for vindication and justice against overwhelming, unjust opposition.
Psalm 35 12 Word analysis
They reward (יְשַׁלְּמוּנִי, yeshallemuni): This verb is derived from the Hebrew root shalam (שָׁלַם), meaning "to be complete," "to pay," "to repay," or "to restore." While shalam often carries a positive connotation (like peace, wholeness, or making restitution), here it is used with chilling irony. The enemies "pay back" or "repay" the psalmist, but their repayment is profoundly negative and destructive, turning the concept of restoration into an act of complete perversion.
me (וּנִי-, –uni): The suffix indicates a direct object pronoun, highlighting the personal nature of the attack against the psalmist.
evil (רָעָה, ra'ah): This is a comprehensive term for wickedness, harm, misfortune, disaster, or moral evil. Here, it refers to the deliberate and malevolent actions, plots, and slander directed against the psalmist. It denotes intentional injury rather than mere mishap.
for good (תַּחַת טוֹבָה, takhat tovah): Literally "instead of good" or "underneath good." Takhat means "under," "in place of," or "instead of." Tovah (טוֹבָה) signifies goodness, prosperity, welfare, kindness, or benefit. This phrase powerfully illustrates the stark contrast between what was given (good) and what was received (evil), emphasizing extreme ingratitude and the perverse reversal of rightful reciprocity.
to the spoiling (שְׁכוֹל, shkhol): This is a remarkably strong and emotive term. Derived from a root associated with "bereavement," "childlessness," or "desolation," it implies a deep, utter, and profound loss or destruction. It is a loss that leaves one devastated, as a parent who loses a child is desolate. It's far more intense than mere material "spoiling" or minor harm; it points to a desire for absolute ruin or existential desolation. Some translations render it as "bereavement" or "utter desolation," conveying the full impact of spiritual and emotional crushing.
of my soul (לְנַפְשִׁי, lenafshi): Nefesh (נֶפֶשׁ) in Hebrew encompasses more than just the modern English concept of "soul." It can refer to life, self, person, vital breath, desire, or one's entire inner being. The preposition le- (le) means "to" or "for." Thus, "to my soul" means the destructive impact is aimed at the very core of his life, identity, well-being, peace, and spiritual vitality, not merely at external circumstances or possessions. It's an attack on his innermost self.
They reward me evil for good: This phrase underscores the theme of radical injustice and malevolent ingratitude. The expected response for "good" is "good," or at least neutrality. However, the adversaries intentionally reciprocate kindness with destructive acts and harmful intentions. This reversal is a grievous sin in God's eyes and against fundamental human moral codes. It is a betrayal of the deepest trust and demonstrates the wickedness of the aggressors.
to the spoiling of my soul: This entire clause conveys the depth of the adversaries' malicious intent and the devastating impact it had on the psalmist. Their aim was not superficial harm but a profound internal devastation, attacking his very essence. It implies a desire to rob him of his peace, joy, hope, or even his will to live. The damage inflicted by such ungrateful hatred penetrates deeply, leaving one bereft of inner vitality, and creating spiritual anguish. This resonates with the experience of feeling "dead inside" or utterly "desolate" due to severe betrayal and hostility.
Psalm 35 12 Bonus section
- The strong terminology used in this verse reflects the spiritual warfare element underlying David's earthly conflict. The desire to inflict "bereavement" (shkhol) on one's nefesh points to a demonic influence, aiming for ultimate spiritual desolation, not just physical or material harm.
- This verse stands as a lament against human depravity but simultaneously sets the stage for David's later calls for divine intervention, highlighting God as the only true source of justice and vindication against such deep injustice.
- The suffering described here is a pattern for the righteous throughout history, signifying that godliness does not guarantee an absence of persecution but often provokes it. This truth comforts believers in their own experiences of injustice.
Psalm 35 12 Commentary
Psalm 35:12 eloquently articulates the pain of unrequited malevolence: receiving deep harm despite having extended genuine kindness. This dynamic highlights not only the ingratitude but also the profound wickedness of the adversaries. The Hebrew term shkhol, translated as "spoiling" or "bereavement," conveys an aim to inflict a deep, existential loss upon the psalmist's soul—a complete stripping away of inner peace, joy, and vitality. This specific type of suffering, where good is met with evil, runs as a potent theme throughout the Scriptures, powerfully culminating in the experience of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. He came bearing ultimate "good" in the form of salvation and light, yet He was met with rejection, betrayal, false accusation, and crucifixion. The verse therefore resonates deeply, depicting not just David's personal anguish but also foreshadowing the profound unjust suffering of Christ and, by extension, that of His followers who pursue righteousness and are persecuted for it. It underscores the spiritual toll that such bitter betrayal and animosity can exact upon one's very being.