Psalms 38:20 (KJV)

What does Psalms 38:20 mean?

Psalms 38:20 describes how people who return evil for good have become the psalmist’s enemies, specifically because the psalmist is committed to pursuing what is good. The verse highlights the pain of being opposed by others not for wrongdoing, but for steadfastly following what is right.

King David is speaking in this psalm, expressing his distress to God. He feels surrounded by adversaries who repay his good actions with harm, and he points out that their opposition is a direct result of his dedication to goodness. This verse gives voice to the experience of being targeted for doing the right thing, not for any fault or failure.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 38:20

• "Render" (שָׁלַם, shalam): This word means to repay or to return, often with a sense of settling accounts. Here, it emphasizes that the adversaries are intentionally giving back evil in response to good actions.
• "Evil" (רַע, raʿ): This word means bad, harmful, or wicked. The psalmist is clear that what is being returned to him is not just opposition, but genuine harm or wrongdoing.
• "Good" (טוֹב, tov): This word means good, pleasant, or beneficial. The psalmist’s actions are described as truly good, making the response of evil even more unjust.
• "Adversaries" (שָׂטַן, satan): This word means opponent or accuser. It shows that the people against David are not just casual critics but active enemies.
• "Follow" (רָדַף, radaf): This word means to pursue or chase after. David is not passively good; he actively seeks out and follows what is right.

Why Psalms 38:20 matters

• This verse clarifies that sometimes opposition comes not from personal failure, but precisely because someone is committed to doing good.
• The verse connects to the wider psalm, where David is honest about his suffering and isolation, showing that faithfulness to good does not always lead to immediate peace with others.
• It helps clear up the misunderstanding that being good will always result in being treated well by others; sometimes, it can bring about the opposite.