They repay me evil for good; my soul is bereft.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Hebrew word translated "bereaving" literally means "making an orphan." This highlights how David’s enemies’ ingratitude and betrayal left him feeling utterly abandoned and stripped of all comfort and support, like a child left alone in the world.
They repay me evil for good; my soul is bereft.
English Standard Version (ESV)
David is pouring out his heart because enemies are not only falsely accusing him and lying about him, but they're actively seeking his downfall. He highlights the sheer injustice of it all by pointing out that he had shown them genuine kindness and compassion when they were suffering, even afflicting himself with fasting and prayer for them, yet they repaid his goodness with malice and sought to utterly crush his spirit.
Have you ever done something genuinely good for someone, only to have them respond with hostility or harm? This verse plunges into that specific kind of pain.
A Double Dose of Wrong
This verse highlights a particularly cruel form of mistreatment: evil for good. It's not just an injustice; it's an inversion of what's right and natural.
Why would people actively harm someone who has helped them? This verse points to a darkness that can twist kindness into a target.
The Perverse Logic of Enemies
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David points out that his enemies' malice was particularly sharp because it was unprovoked and ungrateful.
Understand the original words
nep̄eš · Hebrew Noun
The immaterial part of a human being, the seat of emotions, will, and spiritual life. It is often used to refer to the whole person, especially in the context of deep distress or longing for God.
This Psalm resonates deeply with David's early life, particularly his years as a fugitive from King Saul. It captures the profound pain of experiencing betrayal and malicious attacks from those who should have been allies, even friends, highlighting the emotional desolation that such injustice brings.
c. 1025 BC
David Anointed King
Samuel the prophet anoints a young David as the future king of Israel, setting him apart for a destiny that will involve conflict and betrayal.
c. 1020-1015 BC
David Rises to Prominence
David gains popularity as a warrior and musician, but this also sparks the intense jealousy and persecution of King Saul, who sees him as a threat.
c. 1015 BC— this verse
David Flees Saul
David is forced to flee into the wilderness, living as a fugitive from King Saul, who relentlessly hunts him. During this time, David demonstrates remarkable restraint and loyalty, even sparing Saul's life on multiple occasions.
c. 1010 BC
Saul's Death
King Saul and his sons are killed in battle against the Philistines, creating a power vacuum and paving the way for David to eventually ascend the throne.
c. 1010-1002 BC
David Reigns in Hebron
David is crowned king over Judah in Hebron, but faces continued opposition and conflict as he consolidates his power.
c. 1002 BC
David Becomes King of All Israel
David finally unites the tribes and is crowned king over all Israel, establishing Jerusalem as his capital. His reign is marked by both significant achievements and ongoing challenges.
This passage directly shows Saul admitting to David that he repaid David's good deeds with evil, mirroring the core complaint in Psalm 35:12.
Proverbs 17:13This proverb highlights the severe consequences of repaying evil for good, underscoring the wicked and destructive nature of such actions described in the psalm.
Luke 6:22Jesus speaks directly about the experience of being hated and rejected for His good works, reflecting the profound betrayal and distress David felt in this psalm.
John 15:25This verse explains that the world hates Jesus and His followers without cause, providing theological context for why the innocent, like David and Christ, often face such undeserved hostility.
calvinPsalms 35:11-15: "False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not."
- Violent witnesses rise up, they charge me with things which I know not. 12. They render me evil for good, to the bereaving [708] of my soul. 13. But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I afflicted my soul with fasting; and have poured my prayer into my own bosom. 14. I behaved myself towards him as if he had been my friend and brother: I humbled myself as one that mourneth h…
cambridgePsalms 35:12: "They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul."
12 . They rewarded &c.] Better, as R.V., they reward. As in the preceding verse he speaks of what is still going on. His enemies are guilty of the basest ingratitude. Cp. Psalm 38:20 ; Psalm 109:5 ; Proverbs 17:13 . Saul confessed that he had treated David thus ( 1 Samuel 24:17 ff.). to the spoiling of my soul ] Render as R.V., to the bereaving of my soul: or perhaps, it is bereavement to my soul . Such conduct makes him…
The Hebrew word translated "bereaving" literally means "making an orphan." This highlights how David’s enemies’ ingratitude and betrayal left him feeling utterly abandoned and stripped of all comfort and support, like a child left alone in the world.
David is pouring out his heart because enemies are not only falsely accusing him and lying about him, but they're actively seeking his downfall. He highlights the sheer injustice of it all by pointing out that he had shown them genuine kindness and compassion when they were suffering, even afflicting himself with fasting and prayer for them, yet they repaid his goodness with malice and sought to utterly crush his spirit.
David is pouring out his heart because enemies are not only falsely accusing him and lying about him, but they're actively seeking his downfall. He highlights the sheer injustice of it all by pointing out that he had shown them genuine kindness and compassion when they were suffering, even afflicting himself with fasting and prayer for them, yet they repaid his goodness with malice and sought to utterly crush his spirit.
"They repay me evil for good; my soul is bereft." — The Hebrew word translated "bereaving" literally means "making an orphan." This highlights how David’s enemies’ ingratitude and betrayal left him feeling utterly abandoned and stripped of all comfort…
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Last reviewed October 2026