4 if I have repaid my ally with evil or without cause have robbed my foe-
4 If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; (yea, I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy:)
4 if I have repaid my friend
4 betrayed my friends, ripped off my enemies - If my hands are really that dirty,
4 If I have repaid evil to him who was at peace with me, Or have plundered my enemy without cause,
4 if I have betrayed a friend or plundered my enemy without cause,
12 They repay me evil for good and leave me like one bereaved.
12 They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling
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.
(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.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 7:4
Commentary on Psalm 7:1-9
(Read Psalm 7:1-9)
David flees to God for succour. But Christ alone could call on Heaven to attest his uprightness in all things. All His works were wrought in righteousness; and the prince of this world found nothing whereof justly to accuse him. Yet for our sakes, submitting to be charged as guilty, he suffered all evils, but, being innocent, he triumphed over them all. The plea is, "For the righteous God trieth the hearts and the reins." He knows the secret wickedness of the wicked, and how to bring it to an end; he is witness to the secret sincerity of the just, and has ways of establishing it. When a man has made peace with God about all his sins, upon the terms of grace and mercy, through the sacrifice of the Mediator, he may, in comparison with his enemies, appeal to God's justice to decide.