“They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries; because I follow the thing that good is.”
The psalmist declares 'Those who render me evil for good accuse me because I follow what is good.' The inversion described—rendering evil for good—suggests the cruelty of the enemies in responding to the psalmist's attempts at righteousness with hostility. The psalmist's commitment to good is itself made a cause of accusation. This verse indicates that the psalmist faces opposition not because he is wicked but because he seeks to do good.
Church Fathers on Psalms 38:20
A psalm to David himself, on the remembrance of the Sabbath. 1. What does this recollection of the Sabbath mean? What is this Sabbath? For it is with groaning that he “calls it to recollection.” You have both heard already when the Psalm was read, and you will now hear it when we shall go over it, how great is his groaning, his mourning, his tears, his misery. But happy he who is wretched after this manner! Whence the Lord also in the Gospel Matthew 5:4 called some who mourn…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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