CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 35:12 They repay me evil for good, to the bereavement of my soul.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/35-12.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/19_Psa_035_012.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 35:12 - Contend with My Opponents" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="They repay me evil for good, to the bereavement of my soul." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/psalms/35-12.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/psalms/35-12.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/psalms/">Psalms</a> > <a href="/psalms/35.htm">Chapter 35</a> > Verse 12</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad12.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/psalms/35-11.htm" title="Psalm 35:11">◄</a> Psalm 35:12 <a href="/psalms/35-13.htm" title="Psalm 35:13">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/psalms/35.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/psalms/35.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />They repay me evil for good and leave me like one bereaved.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/35.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />They repay me evil for good. I am sick with despair.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/35.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />They repay me evil for good; my soul is bereft.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/35.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />They repay me evil for good, to the bereavement of my soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/35.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />They rewarded me evil for good <i>to</i> the spoiling of my soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/35.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />They reward me evil for good, <i>To</i> the sorrow of my soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/35.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />They repay me evil for good, <i>To</i> the bereavement of my soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/35.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />They repay me evil for good, To the bereavement of my soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/35.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />They repay me evil for good, <i>To</i> the bereavement of my soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/35.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />They repay me evil for good, It is bereavement to my soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/35.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />They repay me evil for good, To the sorrow of my soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/35.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They repay me evil for good, making me desolate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/35.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They repay me evil for good, making me desolate. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/35.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />They reward me evil for good, To the bereaving of my soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/35.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />They repay evil for good, and I feel all alone. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/35.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />They reward me evil for good, to the bereaving of my soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/35.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />I am devastated because they pay me back with evil instead of good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/35.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />They pay me back evil for good, and I sink in despair. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/35.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />They paid me back evil for good; my soul mourns.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/35.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />They repay me evil for good, to the bereavement of my soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/35.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />They repay me evil for the good I have done; I am overwhelmed with sorrow. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/35.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />They reward me evil for good, to the bereaving of my soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/35.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/35.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />They reward me evil for good, to the bereaving of my soul. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/35.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />They pay me evil for good, bereaving my soul,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/35.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> They pay me evil for good, bereaving my soul,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/35.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />They will requite me evil instead of good, bereaving to my soul.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/35.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />They repaid me evil for good : to the depriving me of my soul. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/35.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 34:12>They repaid me evil for good, to the deprivation of my soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/35.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />They repay me evil for good; my soul is desolate. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/35.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />They repay me evil for good; my soul is forlorn.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/35.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />They rewarded me evil for good, and they destroyed my reputation among men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/35.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />They paid me evil for good and destroyed my life from among the children of men.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/35.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />They repay me evil for good; Bereavement is come to my soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/35.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />They rewarded me evil for good, and bereavement to my soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/35-12.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=3862" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/35.htm">Contend with My Opponents</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">11</span>Hostile witnesses come forward; they make charges I know nothing about. <span class="reftext">12</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7999.htm" title="7999: yə·šal·lə·mū·nî (V-Piel-Imperf-3mp:: 1cs) -- A primitive root; to be safe; figuratively, to be completed; by implication, to be friendly; by extension, to reciprocate.">They repay me</a> <a href="/hebrew/7451.htm" title="7451: rā·‘āh (Adj-fs) -- Bad, evil. From ra'a'; bad or evil.">evil</a> <a href="/hebrew/8478.htm" title="8478: ta·ḥaṯ (Prep) -- Underneath, below, instead of. From the same as Towach; the bottom; only adverbially, below, in lieu of, etc.">for</a> <a href="/hebrew/2896.htm" title="2896: ṭō·w·ḇāh (N-fs) -- Pleasant, agreeable, good.">good,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7908.htm" title="7908: šə·ḵō·wl (N-ms) -- Bereavement, loss of children. Infinitive of shakol; bereavement.">to the bereavement</a> <a href="/hebrew/5315.htm" title="5315: lə·nap̄·šî (Prep-l:: N-fsc:: 1cs) -- From naphash; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. Animal of vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense.">of my soul.</a> </span><span class="reftext">13</span>Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth; I humbled myself with fasting, but my prayers returned unanswered.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/17-13.htm">Proverbs 17:13</a></span><br />If anyone returns evil for good, evil will never leave his house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/18-20.htm">Jeremiah 18:20</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/25-21.htm">1 Samuel 25:21</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/31-29.htm">Job 31:29-30</a></span><br />If I have rejoiced in my enemy’s ruin, or exulted when evil befell him— / I have not allowed my mouth to sin by asking for his life with a curse—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/109-4.htm">Psalm 109:4-5</a></span><br />In return for my love they accuse me, but I am a man of prayer. / They repay me evil for good, and hatred for my love.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/38-20.htm">Psalm 38:20</a></span><br />Those who repay my good with evil attack me for pursuing the good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/109-3.htm">Psalm 109:3</a></span><br />They surround me with hateful words and attack me without cause.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/69-4.htm">Psalm 69:4</a></span><br />Those who hate me without cause outnumber the hairs of my head; many are those who would destroy me—my enemies for no reason. Though I did not steal, I must repay.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/7-4.htm">Psalm 7:4</a></span><br />if I have rewarded my ally with evil, if I have plundered my foe without cause,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/55-12.htm">Psalm 55:12-14</a></span><br />For it is not an enemy who insults me; that I could endure. It is not a foe who rises against me; from him I could hide. / But it is you, a man like myself, my companion and close friend. / We shared sweet fellowship together; we walked with the crowd into the house of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-44.htm">Matthew 5:44</a></span><br />But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/6-27.htm">Luke 6:27-28</a></span><br />But to those of you who will listen, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, / bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-17.htm">Romans 12:17-21</a></span><br />Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody. / If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone. / Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/3-9.htm">1 Peter 3:9</a></span><br />Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_thessalonians/5-15.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:15</a></span><br />Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul.</p><p class="hdg">they.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/38-20.htm">Psalm 38:20</a></b></br> They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries; because I follow <i>the thing that</i> good <i>is</i>.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/109-3.htm">Psalm 109:3-5</a></b></br> They compassed me about also with words of hatred; and fought against me without a cause… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/19-4.htm">1 Samuel 19:4,5,15</a></b></br> And Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul his father, and said unto him, Let not the king sin against his servant, against David; because he hath not sinned against thee, and because his works <i>have been</i> to theeward very good: … </p><p class="hdg">spoiling [heb.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/20-31.htm">1 Samuel 20:31-33</a></b></br> For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. Wherefore now send and fetch him unto me, for he shall surely die… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/23-21.htm">Luke 23:21-23</a></b></br> But they cried, saying, Crucify <i>him</i>, crucify him… </p><p class="hdg">my soul.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/jeremiah/15-7.htm">Bereavement</a> <a href="/psalms/35-4.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-5.htm">Forlorn</a> <a href="/psalms/34-14.htm">Good</a> <a href="/psalms/27-9.htm">Leave</a> <a href="/psalms/31-6.htm">Pay</a> <a href="/psalms/28-4.htm">Repay</a> <a href="/psalms/28-4.htm">Requite</a> <a href="/psalms/28-4.htm">Reward</a> <a href="/psalms/18-24.htm">Rewarded</a> <a href="/psalms/35-9.htm">Soul</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-4.htm">Spoiling</a> <a href="/psalms/13-4.htm">Troubling</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/49-20.htm">Bereavement</a> <a href="/psalms/35-20.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/isaiah/27-10.htm">Forlorn</a> <a href="/psalms/36-3.htm">Good</a> <a href="/psalms/37-33.htm">Leave</a> <a href="/psalms/37-21.htm">Pay</a> <a href="/psalms/37-21.htm">Repay</a> <a href="/psalms/41-10.htm">Requite</a> <a href="/psalms/40-15.htm">Reward</a> <a href="/psalms/58-11.htm">Rewarded</a> <a href="/psalms/35-13.htm">Soul</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-26.htm">Spoiling</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-17.htm">Troubling</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 35</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/35-1.htm">David prays for his own safety, and his enemies' confusion</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/35-11.htm">He complains of their wrongful dealing</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/35-22.htm">Thereby he incites God against them</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/35.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/psalms/35.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>They repay me evil for good</b><br>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 (<a href="/luke/6-27.htm">Luke 6:27</a>). 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.<p><b>to the bereavement of my soul</b><br>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 <a href="/isaiah/53.htm">Isaiah 53</a>, 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.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>The author of <a href="/bsb/psalms/35.htm">Psalm 35</a>, David is expressing his lament and plea for justice against those who wrong him despite his good deeds.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/e/enemies_of_david.htm">Enemies of David</a></b><br>These are the individuals or groups who repay David's kindness with malice and hostility.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The ultimate judge and protector whom David appeals to for justice and vindication.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_soul.htm">The Soul</a></b><br>Represents the innermost being of David, which is deeply affected by the betrayal and injustice he experiences.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_betrayal.htm">Understanding Betrayal</a></b><br>Recognize that even the most righteous actions can be met with hostility, as seen in David's experience.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_pain_of_injustice.htm">The Pain of Injustice</a></b><br>Acknowledge the deep emotional and spiritual impact of being wronged, which David describes as "bereavement of my soul."<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/seeking_divine_justice.htm">Seeking Divine Justice</a></b><br>Encourage believers to turn to God for justice and vindication rather than seeking personal revenge.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/responding_with_goodness.htm">Responding with Goodness</a></b><br>Emphasize the biblical call to respond to evil with good, following the example of Christ and the teachings of the New Testament.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trusting_god's_sovereignty.htm">Trusting God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>Reinforce the importance of trusting in God's ultimate plan and justice, even when facing personal injustice.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_35.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 35</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_recompense.htm">What does the Bible say about recompense?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/do_psalm_140_9-10_and_matthew_5_44_clash.htm">Do verses like Psalm 140:9-10 contradict the New Testament teaching of loving one's enemies (e.g., Matthew 5:44)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/repay_evil_with_evil.htm">Should we repay evil with evil? (Proverbs 24:29 vs. Romans 12:17)</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_an_imprecatory_prayer.htm">What is an imprecatory prayer?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/35.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(12) <span class= "bld">To the spoiling of my soul.</span>--Literally, <span class= "ital">desolation to my soul. </span>We may paraphrase,<p>"They rewarded me evil for good,<p>Which to me was desolation."<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/35.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 12.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">They rewarded me evil for good</span> (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" (<a href="/1_samuel/24-17.htm">1 Samuel 24:17</a>). <span class="cmt_word">To the spoiling of my soul</span>; or, <span class="accented">the desolating of my soul.</span> 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. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/35-12.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">They repay</span><br /><span class="heb">יְשַׁלְּמ֣וּנִי</span> <span class="translit">(yə·šal·lə·mū·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7999.htm">Strong's 7999: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be safe, to be, completed, to be friendly, to reciprocate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">me evil</span><br /><span class="heb">רָ֭עָה</span> <span class="translit">(rā·‘āh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7451.htm">Strong's 7451: </a> </span><span class="str2">Bad, evil</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for</span><br /><span class="heb">תַּ֥חַת</span> <span class="translit">(ta·ḥaṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8478.htm">Strong's 8478: </a> </span><span class="str2">The bottom, below, in lieu of</span><br /><br /><span class="word">good,</span><br /><span class="heb">טוֹבָ֗ה</span> <span class="translit">(ṭō·w·ḇāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2896.htm">Strong's 2896: </a> </span><span class="str2">Pleasant, agreeable, good</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[to] the bereavement</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁכ֣וֹל</span> <span class="translit">(šə·ḵō·wl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7908.htm">Strong's 7908: </a> </span><span class="str2">Bereavement, loss of children</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of my soul.</span><br /><span class="heb">לְנַפְשִֽׁי׃</span> <span class="translit">(lə·nap̄·šî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5315.htm">Strong's 5315: </a> </span><span class="str2">A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion </span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/35-12.htm">Psalm 35:12 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/35-12.htm">Psalm 35:12 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/35-12.htm">Psalm 35:12 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/35-12.htm">Psalm 35:12 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/35-12.htm">Psalm 35:12 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/35-12.htm">Psalm 35:12 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/35-12.htm">Psalm 35:12 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/35-12.htm">Psalm 35:12 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/35-12.htm">Psalm 35:12 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/35-12.htm">Psalm 35:12 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/35-12.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 35:12 They reward me evil for good (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/35-11.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 35:11"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 35:11" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/35-13.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 35:13"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 35:13" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>