If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; (yea, I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy:)
Parallel translations
- WEB if I have rewarded evil to him who was at peace with me (yes, if I have delivered him who without cause was my adversary),
- BSB if I have rewarded my ally with evil, if I have plundered my foe without cause,
- NKJV If I have repaid evil to him who was at peace with me, Or have plundered my enemy without cause,
- NASB If I have done evil to my friend, Or have plundered my enemy for no reason,
- NLT if I have betrayed a friend or plundered my enemy without cause,
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
David protests that he has not repaid evil to friends or wronged even his enemies without cause. He affirms a clear conscience before God.
Overview
Continuing his oath, David maintains that he has done no treachery, even sparing those who were his foes—likely an allusion to his mercy toward Saul. His integrity is the ground on which he asks God to judge his case. This pattern of refusing evil for evil anticipates the way of Christ, who, when reviled, did not revile in return (1 Peter 2:23).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 15
- 1 Sam 24:17–19And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil.
- Ps 55:20He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant.
- Jer 18:20–21Shall 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.
- Ps 109:5And they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love.
- Prov 17:3The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.
- 1 Sam 26:24And, behold, as thy life was much set by this day in mine eyes, so let my life be much set by in the eyes of the LORD, and let him deliver me out of all tribulation.
- 1 Sam 24:7So David stayed his servants with these words, and suffered them not to rise against Saul. But Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way.
- 1 Sam 20:1And David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said before Jonathan, What have I done? what is mine iniquity? and what is my sin before thy father, that he seeketh my life?
- Gen 44:4And when they were gone out of the city, and not yet far off, Joseph said unto his steward, Up, follow after the men; and when thou dost overtake them, say unto them, Wherefore have ye rewarded evil for good?
- 1 Sam 19:4–5And Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul his father, and said unto him, Let not the king sin against his servant, against David; because he hath not sinned against thee, and because his works have been to thee-ward very good:
- 1 Sam 25:28–29I pray thee, forgive the trespass of thine handmaid: for the LORD will certainly make my lord a sure house; because my lord fighteth the battles of the LORD, and evil hath not been found in thee all thy days.
- 1 Sam 24:10–15Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the LORD had delivered thee to day into mine hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee: but mine eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the LORD’s anointed.
- 1 Sam 26:9–17And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the LORD’s anointed, and be guiltless?
- 1 Sam 22:14Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said, And who is so faithful among all thy servants as David, which is the king’s son in law, and goeth at thy bidding, and is honourable in thine house?
- 1 Sam 26:21Then said Saul, I have sinned: return, my son David: for I will no more do thee harm, because my soul was precious in thine eyes this day: behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly.
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Christ at the center
The Psalms are Christ's own prayer book and a gallery of his portraits — the suffering one of Psalm 22, the risen Lord of Psalm 16, the priest-king of Psalm 110, the Son to whom the nations are given.
How Psalms 7:4 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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