Psalms 38:20

Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

But my enemies are vigorous and strong, and many are those who hate me wrongfully.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

וְֽ֭אֹיְבַי חַיִּ֣ים עָצֵ֑מוּ וְרַבּ֖וּ שֹׂנְאַ֣י שָֽׁקֶר׃

Transliteration

And 'ōyəḇay ḥayyîm 'ātsēmû and rabbû śōnə'ay šāqer

Grammar Details

• *'ōyəḇay*: plural participle with 1st person singular suffix - my enemies
• *ḥayyîm*: adjective plural - living/alive
• *'ātsēmû*: qal perfect 3rd person plural - they are strong/mighty
• *rabbû*: qal perfect 3rd person plural - they are many/multiplied
• *śōnə'ay*: qal participle plural with 1st person singular suffix - those hating me
• *šāqer*: noun - falsehood/lie

Word Meanings

• *'ōyēḇ*: enemy/foe/adversary
• *ḥay*: living/alive/active
• *'ātsam*: be strong/mighty/numerous
• *rāḇaḇ*: be many/multiply/increase
• *śānē'*: hate/detest
• *šeqer*: falsehood/lie/deception

Other Translations

• King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

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

• KJV1611 – Modern English

  Those also who render evil for good are my adversaries, because I follow what is good.

• King James Version 1611 (Original)

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

• American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

  They also that render{H7999} evil{H7451} for good{H2896} Are adversaries{H7853} unto me, because I follow{H7291} the thing that is good.{H2896}

• King James Version with Strong's Numbers

  They also that render{H7999}{(H8764)} evil{H7451} for good{H2896} are mine adversaries{H7853}{H8799)}; because I follow{H7291}{H8800)} the thing that good{H2896} is.

• Coverdale Bible (1535)

  They that rewarde me euell for good, speake euell of me, because I folowe the thinge that good is.

• Geneva Bible (1560)

  They also, that rewarde euill for good, are mine aduersaries, because I followe goodnesse.

• Bishops' Bible (1568)

  They also that rewarde euyl for good are agaynst me: because I folowe the thyng that is good.

• Authorized King James Version (1611)

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

• Webster's Bible (1833)

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

• Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

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

• American Standard Version (1901)

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

• American Standard Version (1901)

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

• Bible in Basic English (1941)

  They give me back evil for good; they are my haters because I go after the thing which is right.

• World English Bible (2000)

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

• NET Bible® (New English Translation)

  They repay me evil for the good I have done; though I have tried to do good to them, they hurl accusations at me.

Referenced Verses

• Ps 35:12 : 12 They repay me evil for good, leaving my soul in grief.
• 1 John 3:12 : 12 Not like Cain, who was from the evil one and killed his brother. And why did he kill him? Because his deeds were evil and his brother’s were righteous.
• 1 Sam 19:4-6 : 4 Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul, his father, saying, "The king should not sin against his servant David. He has done no wrong to you; on the contrary, his actions have greatly benefited you. 5 He risked his life to kill the Philistine, and the LORD brought about a great victory for all Israel. You saw it and rejoiced. So why would you sin by shedding innocent blood by killing David without cause? 6 Saul listened to Jonathan and swore, "As surely as the LORD lives, David will not be put to death."
• 1 Sam 23:5 : 5 David and his men went to Keilah and fought against the Philistines. He drove their livestock away and struck them with a great blow. Thus, David saved the inhabitants of Keilah.
• 1 Sam 23:12 : 12 Then David said, 'Will the leaders of Keilah hand me and my men over to Saul?' The LORD replied, 'They will hand you over.'
• 1 Sam 25:16 : 16 They were a wall of protection around us, both night and day, the whole time we were with them tending the sheep.
• 1 Sam 25:21 : 21 David had just been saying, "It’s been for nothing that I guarded everything belonging to this man in the wilderness. Nothing was missing, yet he has repaid me evil for good.
• Ps 7:4 : 4 O Lord, my God, if I have done this, if there is injustice in my hands,
• Ps 109:3-5 : 3 They surrounded me with words of hatred and fought against me without cause. 4 In return for my love they accuse me, but I am a man of prayer. 5 They repay me evil for good, and hatred for my love.
• Jer 18:20 : 20 Should good be repaid with evil? Yet they have dug a pit for me. Remember how I stood before You to speak on their behalf, to turn Your wrath away from them.
• Matt 5:10 : 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
• John 10:32 : 32 Jesus answered them, 'I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these works are you stoning me?'
• 1 Pet 3:13 : 13 Who then will harm you if you are zealous for what is good?
• 1 Pet 3:17-18 : 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil. 18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh but made alive in the Spirit.
• 1 Pet 4:14-16 : 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.