Give to them according to their work and according to the evil of their deeds; give to them according to the work of their hands; render them their due reward.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The repeated emphasis on "work," "deeds," and "hands" isn't just about punishment; it highlights that God sees and will repay the deliberate, active engagement in evil, not just passive sin. This verse calls us to notice that God doesn't overlook our intentions and actions when they are bent toward malice.
Give to them according to their work and according to the evil of their deeds; give to them according to the work of their hands; render them their due reward.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The psalmist is praying amidst severe persecution from enemies who are not only wicked but also deceitful, speaking peace while plotting harm. He’s pleading with God not to let him be swept away with these evildoers and, as a consequence of their persistent evil, calls on God to judge them justly according to their destructive actions. This prayer is rooted in a deep understanding of God's righteous judgment, which will ultimately distinguish between the righteous and the wicked.
When we see wickedness seemingly go unpunished, it's natural to cry out for justice. This psalm takes that cry directly to God.
This verse isn't just a wish; it's a deep theological statement about God's character. The repetition of "according to their deeds," "wickedness of their doings," and "work of their hands" emphasizes that God's judgment will be precise and fitting.
Can you pray for bad things to happen to people? This verse sounds harsh, but the context reveals a deeper purpose.
It's easy to misinterpret this prayer as a call for personal vengeance. However, the psalmists, like David, were guided by the Holy Spirit, not by their own angry emotions.
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Understand the original words
po'al · Hebrew Noun
A general term for human activity, conduct, or behavior, which in Scripture is often evaluated by God as either aligned with His righteousness or as rebellion against Him.
gemul · Hebrew Verb / Noun
To pay back or compensate someone based on their deeds; in biblical usage, it often refers to God’s righteous judgment or justice, wherein He returns to individuals the consequences of their choices.
This passage echoes the principle of divine justice, stating that God 'will repay each one according to what has been done in the body, whether good or evil,' reinforcing the idea of accountability for one's actions.
Galatians 6:7Paul directly teaches the principle of sowing and reaping, stating 'Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows,' which is a New Testament parallel to the Old Testament concept of receiving the due reward for one's deeds.
Revelation 18:6In the apocalyptic vision of judgment, God commands His people to 'Give back to her as she has given, and pay her back double for what she has done.' This shows a similar divine decree to recompense actions with proportionate judgment.
Jeremiah 17:10The prophet Jeremiah declares, 'I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct and as their deeds deserve,' highlighting God's intimate knowledge and His role as the ultimate judge who dispenses justice.
calvinPsalms 28:3-5: "Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, which speak peace to their neighbours, but mischief is in their hearts."
- Draw me not away with wicked men, nor with the workers of iniquity, who speak peace to their neighbors, while malice is in their hearts. 4. Give them according to their works, and according to the wickedness of their doings; give them according to the work of their hands; render them their reward. 5. Because they regard not the doings of…
gillPsalms 28:4: "Give them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of their endeavours: give them after the work of their hands; render to them their desert."
Give them according to their deeds,.... According to the demerit of them, which is death, even death eternal; and according to the wickedness of their endeavours; for though wicked men do not always succeed; yet their want of success does not excuse their wickedness; give them after the work of their hands; see 2 Timothy 4:…
The repeated emphasis on "work," "deeds," and "hands" isn't just about punishment; it highlights that God sees and will repay the deliberate, active engagement in evil, not just passive sin. This verse calls us to notice that God doesn't overlook our intentions and actions when they are bent toward malice.
The psalmist is praying amidst severe persecution from enemies who are not only wicked but also deceitful, speaking peace while plotting harm. He’s pleading with God not to let him be swept away with these evildoers and, as a consequence of their persistent evil, calls on God to judge them justly according to their destructive actions. This prayer is rooted in a deep understanding of God's righteous judgment, which will ultimately distinguish between the righteous and the wicked.
The psalmist is praying amidst severe persecution from enemies who are not only wicked but also deceitful, speaking peace while plotting harm. He’s pleading with God not to let him be swept away with these evildoers and, as a consequence of their persistent evil, calls on God to judge them justly according to their destructive actions. This prayer is rooted in a deep understanding of God's righteous judgment, which will ultimately distinguish between the righteous and the wicked.
"Give to them according to their work and according to the evil of their deeds; give to them according to the work of their hands; render them their due reward." — The repeated emphasis on "work," "deeds," and "hands" isn't just about punishment; it highlights that God sees and will repay the deliberate, active engagement in evil, not just passive sin. This v…
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Last reviewed October 2026