Psalms 38:20

20 I give out good and get back evil from God-haters who can't stand a God-lover.

Psalms 38:20 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 38:20

They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries
(See Gill on Psalms 35:12);

because I follow [the thing that] good [is];
or "follow good"; a good God, whom his soul followed hard after, ( Psalms 63:8 ) ; the good Shepherd of the sheep, who led him into green pastures, whither he followed him, ( Psalms 23:1-3 ) ; the good Spirit of God his guide, whom he walked after, ( Romans 8:1 ) ; good and holy men of God, whom he took for examples and copied after; and every good work, which he pursued with eagerness and pleasure; and all this drew upon him the hatred of his adversaries.

Psalms 38:20 In-Context

18 I'm ready to tell my story of failure, I'm no longer smug in my sin.
19 My enemies are alive and in action, a lynch mob after my neck.
20 I give out good and get back evil from God-haters who can't stand a God-lover.
21 Don't dump me, God; my God, don't stand me up.
22 Hurry and help me; I want some wide-open space in my life!
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.