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Psalms 35:12

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 35:12 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “They reward me evil for good, [To] the bereaving of my soul.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

They reward me evil for good, [To] the bereaving of my soul.
Psalms 35:12 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 35

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
9And my soul shall be joyful in Jehovah: It shall rejoice in his salvation.
10All my bones shall say, Jehovah, who is like unto thee, Who deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him, Yea, the poor and the needy from him that robbeth him?
11Unrighteous witnesses rise up; They ask me of things that I know not.
12They reward me evil for good, [To] the bereaving of my soul.
13But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I afflicted my soul with fasting; And my prayer returned into mine own bosom.
14I behaved myself as though it had been my friend or my brother: I bowed down mourning, as one that bewaileth his mother.
15But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: The abjects gathered themselves together against me, and I knew [it] not; They did tear me, and ceased not:
← Psalms 35:11Psalms 35:13 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Though they rendered evil for good, he showed a tender sympathy in their affliction. spoiling--literally, "bereavement." The usual modes of showing grief are made, as figures, to express his sorrow.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“They rewarded me evil for good - They recompensed, or returned evil instead of good. The manner in which they did it he states in the following verses. To the spoiling of my soul - Margin, “depriving.” The Hebrew word means “the being forsaken,” or “abandoned.” The idea is, that owing to this conduct he was forsaken or abandoned by all in whom he might have put confidence. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“They: Psa 38:20, Psa 109:3-5; Sa1 19:4, Sa1 19:5, Sa1 19:15, Sa1 22:13, Sa1 22:14; Pro 17:13; Jer 18:20; Joh 10:32 spoiling: Heb. depriving, Sa1 20:31-33; Luk 23:21-23 my soul: Or, "my life," as the word nephesh frequently denotes. Psalms 35:13”
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Related study paths

Read Psalms 35 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification