Psalm 38:20

20 They that yield evils for goods, backbited me; for I followed goodness. (Those who give back evil in return for good, backbite me; because I do what is right, or good.)

Psalm 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.

Psalm 38:20 In-Context

18 For I shall tell my wickedness; and I shall think for my sin. (For I shall tell out my wickedness; and I am afraid, when I think of my sin.)

19 But mine enemies live, and they be confirmed on me; and they be multiplied, that hate me wickedly. (But my enemies live, and they be strong against me; yea, there be many who wickedly hate me.)

20 They that yield evils for goods, backbited me; for I followed goodness. (Those who give back evil in return for good, backbite me; because I do what is right, or good.)

21 My Lord God, forsake thou not me (do not thou desert me); go thou not away from me.

22 Lord God of mine health; behold thou into mine help. (Lord God of my salvation, or of my deliverance, hasten thou to help me.)