Psalms 38:20They who also render evil for good are adversaries to me, because I follow what is good.
The setting
Jerusalem palace, ~1000 BC. King David, likely sick and weak, dictates this psalm while enemies circle like vultures, repaying his past kindness with plots against his throne.
The emotion here: bewildered and wounded by injustice
The original word
śāṭan (שָׂטַן) — to oppose, be an adversary; same root as Satan
Why it matters
David wrote this during a time of serious illness when political enemies saw weakness as opportunity
Read with care
What most readers miss in Psalms 38:20
The word 'adversaries' is the same root as 'Satan' - these aren't just critics but active opponents
Common misconceptionPeople think this is about random persecution, but David is specifically talking about people he previously helped who turned against him during his illness.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Psalms 38:20
Bible Genome reading
Psalms 38:20 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Psalms 38:20 comes from the book of Psalms, written during the United Kingdom period. These words are attributed to David. The dominant emotion in this verse is grieving, with a comfort power of 40% and a tone that is lamenting. It belongs to the psalm genre of biblical literature. Key themes include injustice, persecution. Notable phrases: render evil for good; adversaries to me. This verse is a prayer.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same grieving
“By the sweat of your face will you eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken. For you are dust, and to dust you…”
— Genesis 3:19
“Jesus wept.”
— John 11:35
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning?”
— Psalms 22:1
“They divide my garments among them. They cast lots for my clothing.”
— Psalms 22:18
“for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;”
— Romans 3:23
Your reflection
What does Psalms 38:20 mean to you, today?
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