This verse in Hebrew has the direct quotation, “They said in their hearts, ‘Let us crush them completely!’ ” In order to avoid confusion of pronouns, Good News Translation has used the indirect form, “They wanted (or, decided) to crush us completely.”

In line b, instead of the Masoretic text they burned, Bible en français courant follows the Septuagint and Syriac “and burn” as a continuation of the direct quotation of line a, so that line b is part of what the enemies said to themselves. Good News Translation has avoided the direct address form in order to preserve the third person plural “they” in both lines, thus avoiding possible confusion due to the introduction of We.

There is some doubt as to the Hebrew word translated “crush us” by Good News Translation (Revised Standard Version subdue them). It may be taken as an irregular form of the verb “to oppress” (An American Translation, Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible, Good News Translation, New American Bible); but in the Masoretic text it appears to be “their descendants” (so Dahood, “Let all their progeny be burned”; also Briggs). The translator is advised to follow the lead of Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, and others.

Good News Translation “every holy place” translates all the meeting places of God; the same word is used in verse 4a. Biblia Dios Habla Hoy has “all the places where we met to worship you.” Some take it here to mean “festivals” (see Briggs). The meaning represented by Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation is recommended. The “holy places” were shrines (see New Jerusalem Bible) or other places where people worshiped God; it is most unlikely that synagogues are meant, in light of the probable time this psalm was composed.

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Reyburn, William D. A Handbook on the Book of Psalms. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1991. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .