Psalm 38 20

Psalm 38:20 kjv

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

Psalm 38:20 nkjv

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

Psalm 38:20 niv

Those who repay my good with evil lodge accusations against me, though I seek only to do what is good.

Psalm 38:20 esv

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

Psalm 38:20 nlt

They repay me evil for good
and oppose me for pursuing good.

Psalm 38 verses

Psalm 38 20 Meaning

Psalm 38:20 expresses the profound lament of an individual who, despite consistently striving to do good and pursue righteousness, is met with malicious repayment and fierce opposition. It highlights the deeply painful reality that acts of kindness and a commitment to uprightness can become the very catalyst for betrayal and enmity from those aligned with wickedness. This verse underscores the injustice of being attacked precisely because one chooses a path of moral integrity and faithfulness to God.

Psalm 38 20 Context

Psalm 38 is a "psalm of memorial" or a "lament," often attributed to King David. It is a deeply personal outpouring reflecting intense physical suffering (vv. 3-8), attributed to the Psalmist's own sin and the Lord's rebuke. Amidst this anguish and his repentance, the Psalmist faces further torment from enemies. These adversaries seek his ruin and relentlessly attack him (vv. 12, 19). Verse 20 pinpoints the ultimate grievance: these foes are driven by malice because the Psalmist endeavors to walk in uprightness and pursue good. Historically, this could relate to periods of David's life marked by betrayal, such as Absalom's rebellion, or the persistent animosity of Saul. Culturally, loyalty and covenant were foundational, making betrayal—especially in response to benevolent acts—a profoundly offensive act.

Psalm 38 20 Word analysis

• כִּ֤י (kî): "For," "Because." This particle introduces a causal explanation, establishing the reason for the adversaries' actions as stated by the Psalmist.

• מְשַׁלְּמִ֣ים (məšalləmîm): "they repay," "recompense." From the root shalam (שָׁלַם), meaning "to be whole" or "complete." In the Piel stem, it denotes making whole or, as here, repaying. Its use is ironic, signifying a perversion where evil, not peace or benefit, is returned.

• לִ֣י (lî): "to me," "for me." Emphasizes the direct, personal target of the malevolent repayment.

• רָעָה (rā‘āh): "evil," "wickedness," "harm," "trouble." This broad term denotes moral badness, injurious actions, or adversity itself, serving as the stark opposite of "good."

• תַּ֣חַת (taḥat): "instead of," "in place of." This preposition highlights the unjust exchange, stressing that evil is given in exchange for something deserving of positive recompense.

• טֹֽובָה (ṭôvāh) / טֹֽוב (ṭôv): "good," "goodness," "well-being," "benefit." Derived from the root tov (טוֹב), referring to moral integrity, righteous conduct, or acts of kindness. Its repetition reinforces the consistent nature of the Psalmist's virtuous character.

• וְ֭שָׂטְנֽוּנִי (wəśāṭənûnî): "and they are my adversaries," "and they oppose me." From the root satan (שָׂטַן), meaning "to act as an adversary," "to accuse." This strong verb is linked to the noun "Satan," implying an active, often malevolent and unjust, opposition, perhaps driven by an adversarial spirit.

• עַל (‘al): "on account of," "because of." This preposition precisely defines the motivation for their opposition, underscoring that the Psalmist's goodness is the direct cause of their enmity.

• רָדְפִ֣י (rāḏəp̄î): "my pursuing," "my following after." From the verb radap (רָדַף), meaning "to pursue" or "to chase." It signifies active, diligent, and consistent effort in adhering to good, highlighting that his righteousness is a chosen and cultivated path.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "repay me evil for good": This phrase captures the profound sense of betrayal and the perverse inversion of natural justice. It signifies that kindness or uprightness, rather than eliciting gratitude, is met with malevolence. This moral corruption on the part of the adversaries causes deep personal pain and highlights their rejection of righteous principles.
  • "and are my adversaries because I follow after good": This further clarifies the core motive behind the opposition. The adversaries' animosity is not incidental, but arises precisely from the Psalmist's commitment to and active pursuit of moral excellence and God's standards. The term "adversaries" (rooted in satan) points to a type of hostility that is active, accusatory, and intrinsically opposed to virtue, elevating the conflict beyond mere human disagreement to a deeper spiritual antagonism. The "following after good" emphasizes a committed, not passive, lifestyle.

Psalm 38 20 Bonus section

• The particular phrasing "repay evil for good" appears in multiple Psalms (e.g., Psa 35:12, Psa 109:5), suggesting it describes a recognized pattern of deep injustice and profound betrayal experienced by those faithful to the Lord. This thematic recurrence highlights its significance in the Psalter.
• This verse provides comfort and affirmation to individuals facing "moral persecution"—where one suffers negative consequences or slander specifically for adhering to biblical values and righteousness in a morally conflicting environment.
• The Psalm 38 narrative as a whole demonstrates the permitted breadth of honest lament and outpouring of pain before God, even when the suffering encompasses both personal fault and external, unprovoked hostility.

Psalm 38 20 Commentary

Psalm 38:20 vividly captures a poignant paradox often faced by the righteous: faithfully pursuing kindness and uprightness can, counter-intuitively, invite hostility rather than respect. David, grappling with deep personal suffering and betrayals, laments that his enemies not only inflict harm but do so because of his good conduct. This is a powerful statement about the nature of evil; it is fundamentally antagonistic towards goodness. The use of "adversaries" (from the root śāṭan) suggests an opposition driven by an accuser's spirit, implying a malevolent force at play that resents purity and light. This experience of repaying good with evil profoundly prefigures Christ, who embodied perfect goodness and experienced the ultimate rejection, false accusations, and crucifixion at the hands of those who hated truth. For believers, this verse offers solace and instruction: it acknowledges the reality of unjust suffering for righteousness and validates the pain that accompanies such betrayal, while simultaneously reminding us of the unwavering commitment to good despite such enmity.