Psalm 35:12 - Printer Friendly

ESV: They repay me evil for good; my soul is bereft.

NIV: They repay me evil for good and leave me like one bereaved.

NASB: They repay me evil for good, To the bereavement of my soul.

CSB: They repay me evil for good, making me desolate.

NLT: They repay me evil for good. I am sick with despair.

KJV: They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul.

NKJV: They reward me evil for good, To the sorrow of my soul.

David had been good to those who now sought to kill him. Twice, David could have killed Saul (1 Samuel 24; 26). On one occasion Saul even admitted that David was a better man than he (1 Samuel 24:17). Yet he continued to oppose David, as did his men. Instead of responding to his kindness with good, David's enemies did him wrong. Such ungrateful treatment saddened David deeply.

Essentially, all humanity has repaid God's goodness with evil. God created a beautiful world for mankind to enjoy. He faithfully causes the seasons to come and go in turn. His faithfulness is renewed every morning. He provides harvests and shelter for all. He demonstrated love toward everyone by giving His Son while everyone was lost in sin (Romans 5:8). Nevertheless, mankind has spurned the Lord's love and goodness. Isaiah 53:6 portrays all mankind as turning away from God and going astray. When in His goodness and grace Jesus came to earth to seek and to save sinners, the world rejected Him and ultimately nailed Him to a cross (Matthew 16:21).

Psalm 35:11–18 is the second of three variations on the same themes, which make up Psalm 35. David describes the attacks he endured. His enemy lied and used unscrupulous witnesses to level false accusations. This betrayal is made worse because David had been kind and loving towards them when they were in need. When they were sick, he prayed for them, and mourned when they did not recover. Yet now they ridiculed him. David calls out for God's intervention.

This is one of the "imprecatory psalms," which call on God to immediately judge or destroy His enemies. David echoes the same ideas in three phases. Each segment includes a plea for rescue, a request for God to conquer David's foes, and a promise to praise the Lord. David makes a point of noting that his enemies have no good reason for their hatred, since he was kind to them. With faith, David looks ahead, trusting he will have the opportunity to worship the Lord for His rescue and vindication.

David pleads with the Lord to destroy his enemies and vindicate him. As such, Psalm 35 is labeled an "imprecatory psalm." Other examples include psalms 5, 69, 109, and 140. This song might have been written when King Saul was seeking David's life (1 Samuel 19:1–2), or when Absalom was spreading rebellion in Israel (2 Samuel 15:13–14). David' notes three basic ideas in this psalm: vindication, defeat of enemies, and praise of God. Each is repeated in a series of three variations.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.

Accessed 5/18/2024 10:02:32 PM