King James Version

Psalms 38:20

They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries; because I follow the thing that good is.

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Hebrew

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In the Hebrew text this line is Psalms 38:21.

וּמְשַׁלְּמֵ֣יumeshalmeand make amendsשָׁלַםconjunction, verb, piel, participle, construct — “and make amends”, a verb used as a describing wordH7999to be safe (in mind, body or estate); figuratively, to be (causatively, make) completed; by implication, to be friendly; by extension, to reciprocate (in various applications)make amends, (make an) end, finish, full, give again, make good, (re-) pay (again), (make) (to) (be at) peace(-able), that is perfect, perform, (make) prosper(-ous), recompense, render, requite, make restitution, restore, reward, [idiom] s…רָ֭עָהraahbadרַעnoun, common, feminine, singular, absolute — “bad”, the ordinary formH7451bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, [phrase] displease(-ure), distress, evil((-favouredness), man, thing), [phrase] exceedingly, [idiom] great, grief(-vous), harm, heavy, hurt(-ful), ill (favoured), [phrase] mark, mischief(-vous), misery…תַּ֣חַתtachatwithתַּחַתpreposition — “with”H8478the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc.as, beneath, [idiom] flat, in(-stead), (same) place (where...is), room, for...sake, stead of, under, [idiom] unto, [idiom] when...was mine, whereas, (where-) fore, with.טוֹבָ֑הtovahgoodטוֹבadjective, adjective, feminine, singular, absolute — “good”, the ordinary formH2896good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good thing, a good man or woman; the good, goods or good things, good men or women), also as an adverb (well)beautiful, best, better, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, [idiom] fair (word), (be in) favour, fine, glad, good (deed, -lier, -liest, -ly, -ness, -s), graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, liketh (best), loving, merry, [idiom] most, pleasant,…יִ֝שְׂטְנ֗וּנִיyistenuniadversaryשָׂטַןverb, qal, imperfect, 3rd person, masculine, plural, suffix, pronominal, 1st person, common, singular — “adversary”, an unfinished actionH7853to attack, (figuratively) accuse(be an) adversary, resist.תַּ֣חַתtachatwithתַּחַתpreposition — “with”H8478the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc.as, beneath, [idiom] flat, in(-stead), (same) place (where...is), room, for...sake, stead of, under, [idiom] unto, [idiom] when...was mine, whereas, (where-) fore, with.רדופיrdvfychaseרָדַףverb, qal, infinitive construct, suffix, pronominal, 1st person, common, singular — “chase”, the to-form of the verbH7291to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively (of time) gone by)chase, put to flight, follow (after, on), hunt, (be under) persecute(-ion, -or), pursue(-r).רָֽדְפִיradefichaseרָדַףverb, qal, infinitive construct, suffix, pronominal, 1st person, common, singular — “chase”, the to-form of the verbH7291to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively (of time) gone by)chase, put to flight, follow (after, on), hunt, (be under) persecute(-ion, -or), pursue(-r).טֽוֹבtovgoodטוֹבadjective, adjective, masculine, singular, absolute — “good”, the ordinary formH2896good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good thing, a good man or woman; the good, goods or good things, good men or women), also as an adverb (well)beautiful, best, better, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, [idiom] fair (word), (be in) favour, fine, glad, good (deed, -lier, -liest, -ly, -ness, -s), graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, liketh (best), loving, merry, [idiom] most, pleasant,…

Jewish translation (JPS 1917)

(38-21) They also that repay evil for good are adversaries unto me, because I follow the thing that is good.

Compare Public-Domain Translations

The King James Version remains the text of this page and the canonical URL.

American Standard Version (1901)

They also that render evil for good Are adversaries unto me, because I follow the thing that is good.

Young’s Literal Translation

And those paying evil for good accuse me, Because of my pursuing good.

World English Bible

They who give evil for good are also adversaries to me, because I follow what is good.

Darby Translation

And they that render evil for good are adversaries unto me; because I pursue what is good.

Jewish Publication Society (1917)

(38-21) They also that repay evil for good are adversaries unto me, because I follow the thing that is good.

Brenton’s Septuagint (1851), English

They that reward evil for good slandered me; because I followed righteousness.

Septuagint (Brenton’s Greek, 1851)

Οἱ ἀνταποδιδόντες κακὰ ἀντὶ ἀγαθῶν, ἐνδιέβαλλόν με, ἐπεὶ κατεδίωκον δικαιοσύνην.