Psalm 38:20
◄  Psalm 38:20  ►
New International Version (©2011)
Those who repay my good with evil lodge accusations against me, though I seek only to do what is good.

New Living Translation (©2007)
They repay me evil for good and oppose me for pursuing good.

English Standard Version (©2001)
Those who render me evil for good accuse me because I follow after good.

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
And those who repay evil for good, They oppose me, because I follow what is good.

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries; because I follow the thing that good is.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
Those who repay evil for good attack me for pursuing good.

International Standard Version (©2012)
They reward my good with evil, opposing me because I seek to do good.

NET Bible (©2006)
They repay me evil for the good I have done; though I have tried to do good to them, they hurl accusations at me.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English (©2010)
They have paid me evil for good and have regarded me with malice because I have sought good.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
They pay me back with evil instead of good, and they accuse me because I try to do what is good.

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
They also that render evil for good are my adversaries; because I follow the thing that is good.

American King James Version
They also that render evil for good are my adversaries; because I follow the thing that good is.

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

Douay-Rheims Bible
They that render evil for good, have detracted me, because I followed goodness.

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

English Revised Version
They also that render evil for good are adversaries unto me, because I follow the thing that is good.

Webster's Bible Translation
They also that render evil for good are my adversaries; because I follow the thing that is good.

World English Bible
They who also render evil for good are 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.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

38:12-22 Wicked men hate goodness, even when they benefit by it. David, in the complaints he makes of his enemies, seems to refer to Christ. But our enemies do us real mischief only when they drive us from God and our duty. The true believer's trouble will be made useful; he will learn to wait for his God, and will not seek relief from the world or himself. The less we notice the unkindness and injuries that are done us, the more we consult the quiet of our own minds. David's troubles were the chastisement and the consequence of his transgressions, whilst Christ suffered for our sins and ours only. What right can a sinner have to yield to impatience or anger, when mercifully corrected for his sins? David was very sensible of the present workings of corruption in him. Good men, by setting their sorrow continually before them, have been ready to fall; but by setting God always before them, they have kept their standing. If we are truly penitent for sin, that will make us patient under affliction. Nothing goes nearer to the heart of a believer when in affliction, than to be under the apprehension of God's deserting him; nor does any thing come more feelingly from his heart than this prayer, Be not far from me. The Lord will hasten to help those who trust in him as their salvation.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 20. - They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries (comp. Psalm 35:12). Because I follow the thing that good is; literally, because I follow good.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries,.... See Gill on Psalm 35:12;

because I follow the thing that good is; or "follow good"; a good God, whom his soul followed hard after, Psalm 63:8; the good Shepherd of the sheep, who led him into green pastures, whither he followed him, Psalm 23:1; the good Spirit of God his guide, whom he walked after, Romans 8:1; good and holy men of God, whom he took for examples and copied after; and every good work, which he pursued with eagerness and pleasure; and all this drew upon him the hatred of his adversaries.

Psalm 38:20 Parallel Commentaries

Psalm 38:20 NIV
Psalm 38:20 NLT
Psalm 38:20 ESV
Psalm 38:20 NASB
Psalm 38:20 KJV

Bible Hub: Online Parallel Bible


O Lord, Don't Rebuke Me in Your Wrath
…19But my enemies are lively, and they are strong: and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied. 20They also that render evil for good are my adversaries; because I follow the thing that good is. 21Forsake me not, O LORD: O my God, be not far from me.

1 John 3:12 Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother's were righteous.
Psalm 35:12 They repay me evil for good and leave me like one bereaved.
Psalm 109:4 In return for my friendship they accuse me, but I am a man of prayer.
Psalm 109:5 They repay me evil for good, and hatred for my friendship.
Isaiah 66:5 Hear the word of the LORD, you who tremble at his word: "Your own people who hate you, and exclude you because of my name, have said, 'Let the LORD be glorified, that we may see your joy!' Yet they will be put to shame.