Psalm 38:20

They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries; because I follow the thing that good is.

Cross-reference

Psalm 7:4 Contrast

Psalm 7:4 asserts David's innocence of repaying evil — contrasting with Psalm 38:20 where enemies repay evil for good.

Psalm 35:12 Parallel

Psalm 35:12 uses the identical phrase 'repay evil for good' — same complaint of unjust treatment.

Psalm 109:3-5 also describes being repaid evil for good and hatred for love — identical theme.

Psalm 69:4 Parallel

In Psalm 69:4, the psalmist similarly laments being hated without cause — a parallel complaint of undeserved opposition.

Psalm 109:4 Parallel

In Psalm 109:4, the psalmist also describes being repaid with accusation for love — the same 'evil for good' dynamic.

1 Samuel 23:12 Historical context

In 1 Samuel 23:12, God reveals the men of Keilah will betray David — a direct instance of evil repaid for his good deed of saving them.

1 John 3:12 Parallel

In 1 John 3:12, Cain's murder of Abel exemplifies 'evil for good' — the righteous brother hated for his righteousness.

1 Peter 4:14–16 Related theme

In 1 Peter 4:14-16, suffering for doing good as a Christian is blessed — echoing the psalmist's complaint of being repaid evil for following good.

1 Peter 3:17 Related theme

In 1 Peter 3:17, Peter affirms it is better to suffer for doing good — directly addressing the psalmist's situation of suffering despite following good.

John 10:32 Parallel

In John 10:32, Jesus asks which good work provokes stoning — a direct example of evil repaid for good, echoing the psalm.

Matthew 5:10 Related theme

In Matthew 5:10, Jesus blesses those persecuted for righteousness — the same situation as the psalmist who follows good yet faces adversaries.

In Jeremiah 18:20, Jeremiah laments that his enemies repay his intercession with evil — a prophetic parallel to the psalmist's complaint.

In 1 Samuel 25:21, David explicitly says Nabal 'returned me evil for good' — the exact same concept as the psalm.

1 Samuel 19:4–6 Historical context

1 Samuel 19:4-6 shows Jonathan defending David from Saul who repays good with evil — a historical example of the pattern.

Isaiah 66:5 Parallel

In Isaiah 66:5, those who tremble at God's word are hated and cast out by their brothers — a parallel to being opposed for following good.

Proverbs 17:13 warns that returning evil for good brings lasting trouble — reinforcing the injustice the psalmist suffers.

1 Thessalonians 5:15 commands not to repay evil for evil — while the psalmist suffers the opposite: evil for good.

In 1 Peter 3:13, Peter asks who will harm you if you do good — contrasting with the psalmist's experience of being harmed for doing good.