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Psalm 109:5
They have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love.
3They have also surrounded me with words of hatred, and fought against me without a cause.
4In return for my love, they are my adversaries; but I am in prayer.
5They have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love.
6Set a wicked man over him. Let an adversary stand at his right hand.
7When he is judged, let him come out guilty. Let his prayer be turned into sin.
Notice
Love receives hatred here, and good receives evil; the speaker names a reversal that can make kindness feel costly and trust hard.
Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.
What experience, if any, comes to mind when you read “hatred for my love”?
Write on thisWhat does the word “rewarded” suggest about the response the speaker had hoped to receive?
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Where else Scripture says this
12 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.
This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
Psalm 7:4if I have rewarded evil to him who was at peace with me (yes, I have plundered him who without cause was my adversary),Both passages speak of rewarding evil, with Psalm 7 examining the speaker’s conduct and Psalm 109 describing others’ conduct.
Psalm 55:20He raises his hands against his friends. He has violated his covenant.Psalm 55 describes violence against friends and a broken covenant; Psalm 109 describes hatred returned for love.
Proverbs 17:13Whoever rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.Both name rewarding evil for good; Proverbs warns of consequences, while Psalm 109 voices the complaint of someone receiving that evil.
Psalm 38:20They who give evil for good are also adversaries to me, because I follow what is good.Both speakers describe adversaries who return evil for good, making their pursuit of good a setting for hostility.
Genesis 44:4When they had gone out of the city, and were not yet far off, Joseph said to his steward, “Up, follow after the men. When you overtake them, ask them, ‘Why …Joseph’s instructed question and the psalm’s complaint share the words “rewarded evil for good,” naming the same reversal.
Psalm 55:12–15For it was not an enemy who insulted me, then I could have endured it. Neither was it he who hated me who raised himself up against me, then I would have …Psalm 55 distinguishes its offender from an enemy; Psalm 109 names the pain of receiving hatred from those shown love.
2 Samuel 15:31Someone told David, saying, “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” David said, “LORD, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.”David hears of a conspiracy and prays; Psalm 109’s complaint about hatred also appears within a prayer.
Jeremiah 38:6Then they took Jeremiah and threw him into the dungeon of Malchijah the king’s son, that was in the court of the guard. They let down Jeremiah with cords. In …Both describe harm inflicted by others, though Jeremiah’s confinement does not itself name the return of evil for good.
John 13:18I don’t speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with me has lifted up his heel …Jesus speaks of a bread companion turning against him; Psalm 109 describes hostility from people the speaker has loved.
Mark 14:44–45Now he who betrayed him had given them a sign, saying, “Whomever I will kiss, that is he. Seize him, and lead him away safely.”The betrayer makes a kiss the signal for seizure; Psalm 109 describes hatred returned for love.
Luke 22:47–48While he was still speaking, a crowd appeared. He who was called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He came near to Jesus to kiss him.Judas, one of the twelve, approaches Jesus with a kiss while leading a crowd; Psalm 109 also describes hostility amid relational closeness.
2 Samuel 15:12Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he was offering the sacrifices. The conspiracy was strong, …David’s counselor is drawn into Absalom’s conspiracy; Psalm 109 describes hostility where the speaker had shown love.
Where this verse fits
Broken friendship. family conflict. injustice and anger.
One step
Something small to carry out of this verse
Encouragement
This complaint leads into harsh prayers for judgment. You may name harm before God without taking judgment into your own hands; love answered with hatred is a real wrong.
Now put it in your words.
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Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).