Psalm 38:20

Do Not Rebuke Me in Your Anger · Psalm 38:1–22
Read Psalm 38

Translations

Modern
Those who repay my good with evil attack me for pursuing the good.
Traditional
They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries; because I follow the thing that good is.
Literal
And those repaying evil for good, they oppose me, because of my pursuing good.
Latin
Qui retribuunt mala pro bonis detrahebant mihi, quoniam sequebar bonitatem.

Original

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

Notes

The psalmist, unable to bear his suffering and close to collapse (compare Psalm 15:5), admits his sin (see Psalm 32:5).

This psalm is a lament and a prayer for healing. The psalmist's suffering is linked to his unconfessed sin. He admits his sin and trusts the Lord with his situation.

Theme notes and profiles

David Complaints

Parallels

Psalm 6:1–10

Glossary

David Mercy Music Psalms, Book of

Topics

Afflictions and Adversities: Prayer In Conviction of Sin Ingratitude: A Characteristic of the Wicked Ingratitude: David's Companions to David Persecution of the Righteous