Psalm 35

In this psalm, David contrasts the conduct of the wicked with his own conduct: “They repay me evil for good and leave me like one bereaved. Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth and humbled myself with fasting.” (vs 12-13)

You’ve heard the saying no good deed goes unpunished, haven’t you? That’s what happens when you do something kind to an evil person. The way of the wicked is always to return evil for good. There are people in this world who will not respond to love, but will always take the opportunity to bite the hand that feeds them or lash out at the one who cares for them.

On the contrary, God’s way is to return good for evil. This is what David (a man after God’s own heart) did when his enemies were sick. Instead of being happy that they were in a bad way, he took pity on them. He didn’t use that opportunity to get revenge for what they had done to him.

God returns good for evil. About those who had nailed Him to the cross, He said, “Father, forgive them.” He showed kindness to the man who betrayed Him. He forgave Peter, the friend who denied Him. He constantly looked for ways to do good, even though He was opposed at every turn by the priests and religious leaders.

We may not be like those who would return evil for good, but sometimes, our tendency is to give tit for tat. We return good for good and evil for evil. But God calls us to a higher standard:

“You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst… This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that. In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it… Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.” (Matt 5:43-48)

When it comes to good and evil, don’t take the path of the wicked, returning evil for good. And don’t even take the “human” path, giving tit for tat. Instead, take the divine path and learn to return good for evil. That’s what God does, giving his best to everyone—His friends and His enemies! He doesn’t believe in no good deed goes unpunished. With Him, it’s no evil deed goes unrewarded!