Psalms 35:12

KJV

They rewarded me evil for good [to] the spoiling of my soul.

KJV (with Strong's)

They rewarded {H7999} me evil {H7451} for good {H2896} to the spoiling {H7908} of my soul {H5315}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They repay me evil for good; it makes me feel desolate as a parent bereaved.

Berean Standard Bible

They repay me evil for good, to the bereavement of my soul.

American Standard Version

They reward me evil for good, Tothe bereaving of my soul.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 35:12 poignantly articulates the profound anguish of betrayal, where the psalmist's benevolent actions are met with malicious ingratitude and hostility. This verse captures the deep injustice of a righteous individual suffering immense inner distress and spiritual damage at the hands of those he may have even helped or shown compassion towards, highlighting a universal experience of unmerited pain and the perverse inversion of expected reciprocity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 35 is a fervent psalm of lament and imprecation, a desperate plea from David to God for deliverance and vindication against his relentless enemies. The psalm is structured around David's earnest appeals for divine intervention, contrasting his own righteous conduct and compassion towards his adversaries with their unwarranted hostility. Immediately preceding verse 12, David has been describing his enemies' unprovoked attacks, such as setting a hidden net for him without cause, as detailed in [Psalm 35:7](/psalms/35-7 "Psalm 35:7 - Enemies Set a Net for David"). Following this verse, David further highlights his own compassionate response to their suffering, even mourning and fasting when they were sick, as expressed in [Psalm 35:13-14](/psalms/35-13-14 "Psalm 35:13-14 - David's Compassion for His Enemies"). Verse 12 serves as a pivotal statement of the deep injustice he faces, where his good deeds are perversely twisted into grounds for their malice, causing profound personal and spiritual distress. It underscores the depth of the treachery he endures, setting the stage for his continued cries for God's justice and intervention.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** David's life was replete with instances of betrayal and unprovoked animosity, ranging from King Saul's relentless pursuit to the rebellion of his own son Absalom, as chronicled in [2 Samuel 15](/2_samuel/15 "2 Samuel 15 - Absalom's Rebellion"). This verse likely reflects such periods of intense personal and political conflict, where loyalty was often fleeting and power struggles were brutal. In ancient Near Eastern societies, hospitality, reciprocity, and covenant faithfulness were deeply ingrained cultural and moral values. To repay good with evil was not merely a personal slight but a profound violation of social norms and a serious moral offense, often invoking divine judgment. The "spoiling of my soul" speaks to a violation that transcends physical harm or material loss, touching the very essence of one's being, a concept deeply understood in a culture where personal honor, reputation, and spiritual well-being were intrinsically linked and highly valued.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within Psalms 35 and the broader Psalter. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Betrayal and Ingratitude**, a recurring motif where the righteous suffer at the hands of the wicked, often those they have helped or shown kindness to. Secondly, it underscores the reality of **Unjust Suffering**, portraying David as a victim of unprovoked malice despite his own blamelessness in the situation. This theme is central to many lament psalms, where the psalmist grapples with the apparent prosperity of the wicked and the suffering of the righteous, as vividly explored in [Psalm 73](/psalms/73 "Psalm 73 - The Prosperity of the Wicked"). Thirdly, the phrase "to the spoiling of my soul" introduces the profound theme of **Inner Distress and Spiritual Wounding**, emphasizing that the impact of betrayal extends beyond physical or material harm to the very core of one's emotional and spiritual being, affecting their vitality and peace. Finally, implicitly, the verse sets up the psalmist's fervent appeal for **Divine Justice and Vindication**, as he turns to God as his only hope for deliverance from such profound wickedness and moral inversion.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **rewarded (Hebrew, _shâlam'_):** From the primitive root H7999, meaning "to be safe, complete, peaceful," but in its causative (Hiphil) form, as used here, it signifies "to recompense, render, requite, or reward." The profound irony lies in the nature of the recompense: what should be a just and equitable return for good deeds is perversely twisted into a repayment of evil. This choice of word emphasizes the deliberate and calculated nature of the adversaries' malicious response, highlighting a conscious act of moral inversion rather than an accidental slight.
* **evil (Hebrew, _raʻ'_):** From H7451, this word denotes "bad" or "evil" in a wide sense, encompassing natural calamities, moral depravity, harm, mischief, and wickedness. When juxtaposed with "good" (H2896, _ṭôwb_, which means "good" in the widest sense, including kindness and welfare), it underscores the absolute inversion of expected reciprocity. David's adversaries actively chose to inflict harm, distress, and moral wrong upon him, demonstrating a profound lack of conscience and a deliberate act of malice. This "evil" is not merely an absence of good but an active, destructive force.
* **spoiling (Hebrew, _shᵉkôwl'_):** Derived from H7908, this term means "bereavement" or "loss of children," implying a profound, devastating, and irreplaceable loss or emptiness. When applied to the "soul" (H5315, _nephesh_, which encompasses the whole person, their life, vitality, and inner being), it suggests a deep, irreversible sense of deprivation and violation. It conveys that something vital and essential has been violently taken away from David's inner being, leaving him desolate, wounded at his core, and profoundly diminished in his spiritual and emotional well-being.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"They rewarded me evil for good":** This clause establishes the core grievance: an active, deliberate, and perverse act of ingratitude and malice. David's enemies, instead of reciprocating his kindness or simply leaving him alone, actively chose to inflict harm upon him as a direct, calculated response to his benevolent actions. This highlights the unprovoked and malicious nature of their hostility, emphasizing that their actions are not merely accidental but a conscious and morally inverted reversal of expected human and divine reciprocity.
* **"[to] the spoiling of my soul":** This phrase describes the devastating consequence of their actions, emphasizing the profound internal impact. The "spoiling" (bereavement, loss) of his "soul" (Hebrew _nephesh_ – encompassing the whole person, their life, vitality, inner being, and mind) indicates that the harm inflicted was not superficial or merely physical. It was a deep emotional, spiritual, and psychological wound that affected the very essence of David's being, leaving him feeling desolate, violated, and profoundly diminished in his inner peace, joy, and well-being due to their treachery.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs several **literary devices** to convey its powerful message of betrayal and suffering. The most prominent is **Antithesis**, seen in the direct opposition of "evil for good," which starkly highlights the perverse nature of the enemies' actions and the profound injustice David sustains. This sharp contrast emphasizes the moral inversion at play, underscoring the egregious nature of their ingratitude. The phrase "to the spoiling of my soul" functions as a powerful **Metaphor** or **Hyperbole**, conveying a depth of internal devastation that goes far beyond mere physical harm. The use of "spoiling," derived from a root meaning bereavement or loss of children, evokes an image of profound, irreplaceable loss, intensifying the emotional impact and creating a strong sense of **Pathos**, drawing the reader into the psalmist's deep anguish and evoking sympathy for his unmerited suffering. The verse's concise yet impactful phrasing also demonstrates **Conciseness**, packing a significant emotional and theological punch into a few words, making its message all the more potent and memorable.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse resonates deeply with the biblical understanding of human depravity and the reality of suffering in a fallen world. It underscores the painful truth that even those who strive to do good may be met with hostility and malice, a theme prevalent throughout Scripture. Theologically, it highlights the inherent brokenness of human relationships apart from divine grace and the profound need for God's justice and vindication. David's lament here is not merely a personal complaint but a cry that echoes the experience of many righteous sufferers throughout history, reminding us that God is the ultimate arbiter of justice, and to Him alone can we turn when human systems fail or betray. It also foreshadows the ultimate suffering of the Messiah, who would perfectly embody the repayment of good with evil.

* [Psalm 38:20](/psalms/38-20 "Psalm 38:20 - Enemies Repaying Good with Evil")
* [Psalm 109:5](/psalms/109-5 "Psalm 109:5 - Repaying Good with Evil and Hatred for Love")
* [1 Samuel 25:21](/1_samuel/25-21 "1 Samuel 25:21 - David's Kindness to Nabal Repaid with Evil")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 35:12 offers a profound validation for those who have experienced the searing pain of betrayal, where kindness and good intentions are met with malice. It acknowledges the legitimate grief and deep spiritual distress that such experiences inflict, reminding us that it is not a sign of weakness to feel wounded when our good is repaid with evil. For believers, this verse serves as a crucial reminder that while the pain is real and often devastating, our response must align with God's character. Like David, we are called to bring our complaints and our woundedness to the Lord, trusting Him with the ultimate vindication and justice rather than seeking personal revenge. This aligns with the New Testament call to "repay no one evil for evil" as exhorted in [Romans 12:17](/romans/12-17 "Romans 12:17 - Do Not Repay Evil for Evil"), but to leave room for God's wrath and divine recompense. Furthermore, despite the hurtful responses of others, the enduring call for followers of Christ is to persevere in doing good, even to those who persecute us, following the profound example of our Savior who commanded us to "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" in [Matthew 5:44](/matthew/5-44 "Matthew 5:44 - Love Your Enemies"). This verse thus provides solace and understanding for the suffering, a pattern for prayer and lament, and a powerful challenge to maintain integrity and goodness even in the face of profound injustice and spiritual wounding.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do you typically respond when your good intentions or acts of kindness are met with hostility or betrayal?**
* **What does it mean practically to "trust God with justice" when you experience deep personal or spiritual wounding from others?**
* **In what ways can this verse encourage you to persevere in doing good, even when it feels unappreciated or is repaid with evil?**

### FAQ
**Is the experience described in Psalms 35:12 a universal human experience, or specific to David's unique circumstances?**

Answer: While rooted in David's specific laments and the historical context of his life, the experience described in [Psalm 35:12](/psalms/35-12 "Psalm 35:12 - Repaying Good with Evil")—of extending good and receiving evil in return, leading to profound inner distress—is deeply universal. It resonates with anyone who has offered kindness, loyalty, or help, only to be met with ingratitude, betrayal, or malicious harm. The psalm provides a timeless biblical framework for understanding and processing such pain, reminding us that even righteous individuals suffer unjustly in a fallen world. It speaks to the brokenness of human relationships and the reality that not all good deeds are reciprocated in kind, making it a lament that transcends its original setting to speak to the human condition across generations.

**What does "spoiling of my soul" truly mean in the context of this verse?**

Answer: The phrase "spoiling of my soul" (KJV) or "bereavement of my soul" (a more literal translation of the Hebrew) signifies a profound, internal devastation that goes far beyond mere physical or material harm. The Hebrew word `shᵉkôwl` (H7908), from which "spoiling" is derived, often refers to the tragic loss of children or being made childless, implying an irreplaceable and deep void. Therefore, when applied to `nephesh` (H5315), which encompasses the soul, life, vitality, and inner being, it conveys a sense of having one's inner peace, joy, and well-being severely damaged, diminished, or even violently taken away by the malicious actions of others. It is a spiritual and emotional wounding that penetrates to the core of one's being, leaving a lasting sense of emptiness, grief, and violation, rather than just a superficial hurt. This internal desolation is a direct consequence of the profound injustice experienced.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 35:12 finds its most profound and ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the quintessential righteous sufferer, the one who perfectly exemplified "good for evil" in every aspect of His life and ministry. He healed the sick, taught the lost, offered salvation, and consistently demonstrated unparalleled love and compassion, yet He was repaid with the ultimate evil: rejection, false accusations, and crucifixion. The prophecy in [John 15:25](/john/15-25 "John 15:25 - Jesus Was Hated Without a Cause") that He was "hated without a cause" perfectly encapsulates the injustice David experienced. Jesus, the Lamb of God, willingly endured the "spoiling of His soul" in Gethsemane, where His anguish was so great He sweat drops of blood ([Luke 22:44](/luke/22-44 "Luke 22:44 - Jesus' Anguish in Gethsemane")), and on the cross, experiencing the profound abandonment and the crushing weight of the world's sin, not for His own wrongdoing but for the good of humanity ([Isaiah 53:3-5](/isaiah/53-3-5 "Isaiah 53:3-5 - The Suffering Servant")). Unlike David, who cried out for vengeance, Jesus, in His perfect love, did not retaliate but entrusted Himself to God, who judges justly ([1 Peter 2:23](/1_peter/2-23 "1 Peter 2:23 - Jesus Did Not Retaliate")). His suffering and death, the ultimate repayment of evil for good, paradoxically became the means of our redemption and the supreme demonstration of God's unparalleled love for humanity ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "God Demonstrates His Love")). Thus, in Christ, the lament of [Psalm 35:12](/psalms/35-12 "Psalm 35:12 - Repaying Good with Evil") is transformed from a cry for justice into the very foundation of salvation, offering hope, healing, and ultimate vindication to all who have suffered unjustly.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 10:32

Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?

Jeremiah 18:20

Shall evil be recompensed for good? for they have digged a pit for my soul. Remember that I stood before thee to speak good for them, [and] to turn away thy wrath from them.

Psalms 38:20

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

Luke 23:21

But they cried, saying, Crucify [him], crucify him.

Luke 23:23

And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed.

Psalms 109:3

They compassed me about also with words of hatred; and fought against me without a cause.

Psalms 109:5

And they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love.