Psalm 38:20 “Those who repay my good with evil attack me for pursuing the good.”

Psalm 38:20

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

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

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

World English Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Geneva Bible 1599

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

Darby Translation

And they that render evil for good are adversaries unto me; because I pursue what is good.

Young's Literal Translation

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

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Cross references

“render”

Psalm 35:12 Jeremiah 18:20 Psalm 109:3–5 1 Samuel 25:21 Psalm 7:4 1 Samuel 19:4–6

Psalm 35:12 · BSB

They repay me evil for good, to the bereavement of my soul.

Jeremiah 18:20 · BSB

Should good be repaid with evil? Yet they have dug a pit for me. Remember how I stood before You to speak good on their behalf, to turn Your wrath from them.

Psalm 109:3–5 · BSB

They surround me with hateful words and attack me without cause.

1 Samuel 25:21 · BSB

Now David had just said, “In vain I have protected all that belonged to this man in the wilderness. Nothing that belongs to him has gone missing, yet he has paid me back evil for good.

Psalm 7:4 · BSB

if I have rewarded my ally with evil, if I have plundered my foe without cause,

1 Samuel 19:4–6 · BSB

Then Jonathan spoke well of David to his father Saul and said to him, “The king should not sin against his servant David; he has not sinned against you. In fact, his actions have been highly beneficial to you.

“because”

1 John 3:12 John 10:32 1 Peter 4:14–16 Matthew 5:10 1 Peter 3:13 1 Peter 3:17

1 John 3:12 · BSB

Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did Cain slay him? Because his own deeds were evil, while those of his brother were righteous.

John 10:32 · BSB

But Jesus responded, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone Me?”

1 Peter 4:14–16 · BSB

If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

Matthew 5:10 · BSB

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

1 Peter 3:13 · BSB

Who can harm you if you are zealous for what is good?

1 Peter 3:17 · BSB

For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

19Many are my enemies without cause, and many hate me without reason.

21Do not forsake me, O LORD; be not far from me, O my God.

Read Psalm 38