12 They repay me evil for good and leave me like one bereaved.
12 They repay me evil for good; my soul is bereft.
12 They pay me back misery for mercy, leaving my soul empty.
12 They reward me evil for good, To the sorrow of my soul.
12 They repay me evil for good. I am sick with despair.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 35:12
Commentary on Psalm 35:11-16
(Read Psalm 35:11-16)
Call a man ungrateful, and you can call him no worse: this was the character of David's enemies. Herein he was a type of Christ. David shows how tenderly he had behaved towards them in afflictions. We ought to mourn for the sins of those who do not mourn for themselves. We shall not lose by the good offices we do to any, how ungrateful soever they may be. Let us learn to possess our souls in patience and meekness like David, or rather after Christ's example.