They repay me evil for good
This phrase reflects a common theme in the Psalms, where the psalmist experiences betrayal and injustice. The concept of repaying evil for good is seen throughout Scripture, such as in the story of Joseph, whose brothers sold him into slavery despite his good intentions (Genesis 37). This phrase also echoes the teachings of Jesus, who instructed His followers to love their enemies and do good to those who hate them (Luke 6:27). The psalmist's lament can be seen as a foreshadowing of Christ's own experience, as He was betrayed by Judas despite His acts of kindness and healing. The cultural context of the time emphasized honor and reciprocity, making the betrayal even more grievous.

to the bereavement of my soul
The term "bereavement" suggests a deep sense of loss and mourning, often associated with the death of a loved one. In this context, it indicates the profound emotional and spiritual impact of betrayal on the psalmist. This phrase can be connected to the suffering servant in Isaiah 53, who was "despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief." The psalmist's experience of betrayal and emotional turmoil prefigures the ultimate suffering of Christ, who bore the sins of humanity and experienced separation from the Father on the cross. The depth of the psalmist's anguish highlights the personal and relational nature of sin and betrayal, which disrupts the intended harmony between individuals and God.

1. David
The author of Psalm 35, David is expressing his lament and plea for justice against those who wrong him despite his good deeds.

2. Enemies of David
These are the individuals or groups who repay David's kindness with malice and hostility.

3. God
The ultimate judge and protector whom David appeals to for justice and vindication.

4. The Soul
Represents the innermost being of David, which is deeply affected by the betrayal and injustice he experiences.Understanding Betrayal
Recognize that even the most righteous actions can be met with hostility, as seen in David's experience.

The Pain of Injustice
Acknowledge the deep emotional and spiritual impact of being wronged, which David describes as "bereavement of my soul."

Seeking Divine Justice
Encourage believers to turn to God for justice and vindication rather than seeking personal revenge.

Responding with Goodness
Emphasize the biblical call to respond to evil with good, following the example of Christ and the teachings of the New Testament.

Trusting God's Sovereignty
Reinforce the importance of trusting in God's ultimate plan and justice, even when facing personal injustice.1. What is the meaning of Psalm 35:12?

2. How can we respond when others repay us "evil for good" like in Psalm 35:12?

3. What does Psalm 35:12 teach about the nature of human relationships?

4. How does Psalm 35:12 connect with Jesus' teachings on loving enemies?

5. In what ways can we seek God's justice when wronged, as in Psalm 35:12?

6. How can we guard our hearts against bitterness when facing betrayal, per Psalm 35:12?

7. How does Psalm 35:12 challenge the concept of justice in the Bible?

8. What historical context influenced the writing of Psalm 35:12?

9. How does Psalm 35:12 reflect the theme of betrayal in the Bible?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Psalm 35?

11. What does the Bible say about recompense?

12. Do verses like Psalm 140:9-10 contradict the New Testament teaching of loving one's enemies (e.g., Matthew 5:44)?

13. Should we repay evil with evil? (Proverbs 24:29 vs. Romans 12:17)

14. What is an imprecatory prayer?They repay me

- David describes a deliberate action taken by those he once treated well. “They repay” pictures a calculated response rather than an accident.

- Psalm 38:20 says, “Those who repay my good with evil slander me when I pursue what is good.” Both psalms show a pattern: kindness met with hostility.

- Proverbs 17:13 warns, “If anyone repays evil for good, evil will never leave his house,” underscoring God’s displeasure with such betrayal.

- Jesus experienced the same: “They hated Me without reason” (John 15:25), proving that godly living can invite unjust opposition.

---

evil for good

- The trade-off is stark: goodness extended, wickedness returned.

- Genesis 50:20 illustrates the opposite heart: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good,” revealing God’s power to overturn evil motives.

- David once spared Saul’s life; Saul later confessed, “You are more righteous than I, for you have repaid me with good, whereas I have repaid you with evil” (1 Samuel 24:17).

- Jesus testified, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone Me?” (John 10:32). The verse exposes human hearts that resist goodness itself.

---

to the bereavement

- “Bereavement” captures the gut-wrenching grief usually tied to death. Here it measures the emotional weight David feels from the betrayal.

- Psalm 69:20 laments, “Scorn has broken my heart and left me helpless; I looked for sympathy, but there was none.”

- Lamentations 1:12 echoes, “Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by? Look and see if there is any pain like my pain.”

- In Gethsemane, Jesus confessed, “My soul is consumed with sorrow to the point of death” (Matthew 26:38), showing that righteous suffering often touches the deepest places of sorrow.

---

of my soul

- The injury is not superficial; it pierces the soul—the seat of life, will, and devotion to God.

- Psalm 42:11 asks, “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me?” illustrating inner turmoil.

- Jesus reminds His disciples, “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul” (Matthew 10:28), elevating the soul’s eternal value.

- Peter encourages, “When you do good and suffer for it, this is commendable before God” (1 Peter 2:20), indicating that wounds to the soul endured for righteousness carry eternal significance.

---

summary

Psalm 35:12 captures the painful reality that goodness can be met with calculated evil, wounding the very core of the believer. David’s cry mirrors the experience of Christ and countless saints: betrayal that grieves the soul. Yet Scripture repeatedly assures that God sees, judges, and ultimately transforms or vindicates. The verse calls us to persevere in doing good, entrusting wounded souls to the faithful Creator who will turn every unjust repayment into everlasting reward.

(12) To the spoiling of my soul.--Literally, desolation to my soul. We may paraphrase,

"They rewarded me evil for good,

Which to me was desolation."

Verse 12. - They rewarded me evil for good (comp. ver. 13). Among those who slandered him were persons with whose troubles he had sympathized, and for whom he had prayed with fasting when they were sick. His worst persecutor, Saul, admitted the charge here made. "Thou art more righteous than I," he said; "for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil" (1 Samuel 24:17). To the spoiling of my soul; or, the desolating of my soul. The result of his enemies' machinations against him was to make him a fugitive and a wanderer, to separate him from the friend whom he tenderly loved, from his wife, his parents, and the greater part of his acquaintance.

Parallel Commentaries ...


They repay
יְשַׁלְּמ֣וּנִי (yə·šal·lə·mū·nî)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | first person common singular
Strong's 7999: To be safe, to be, completed, to be friendly, to reciprocate

me evil
רָ֭עָה (rā·‘āh)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 7451: Bad, evil

for
תַּ֥חַת (ta·ḥaṯ)
Preposition
Strong's 8478: The bottom, below, in lieu of

good,
טוֹבָ֗ה (ṭō·w·ḇāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good

[to] the bereavement
שְׁכ֣וֹל (šə·ḵō·wl)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7908: Bereavement, loss of children

of my soul.
לְנַפְשִֽׁי׃ (lə·nap̄·šî)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion


Psalm 35:12 NIV
Psalm 35:12 NLT
Psalm 35:12 ESV
Psalm 35:12 NASB
Psalm 35:12 KJV

Psalm 35:12 BibleApps.com
Psalm 35:12 Biblia Paralela
Psalm 35:12 Chinese Bible
Psalm 35:12 French Bible
Psalm 35:12 Catholic Bible

OT Poetry: Psalm 35:12 They reward me evil for good (Psalm Ps Psa.)