In verse 22 outwit translates a word whose form and meaning are disputed. The Brown-Driver-Briggs lexicon (BDB) derives it from the verb nashaʾ [I], “to be a creditor”; McCullough and others relate it to nashaʾ [II], “to deceive” (so Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible, Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch outwit; New American Bible “deceive”; Traduction œcuménique de la Bible and Bible en français courant “take by surprise”). K-B derives it from a verb meaning “treat badly, oppress” (New Jerusalem Bible, New International Version); New English Bible “strike at” (similarly Biblia Dios Habla Hoy). The best thing to do is use a word that gives the general idea of “oppress” or “conquer.” Good News Translation‘s “succeed against him” is somewhat elliptical and difficult to translate, as it does not make clear what they will not succeed in doing against him. If the translator follows Good News Translation, it may be necessary to say, for example, “his enemies will not succeed in their battles against him.”
In verse 22b the wicked translates a Hebrew idiom, “son of wickedness.” The verb (not) humble means (not) to inflict a shameful defeat on him. Here there is no particular poetic movement between lines a and b. Both say very much the same thing. It is in such cases as this that translators may want to reduce the two lines to one by saying, for example, “His enemies who are wicked people will not be able to defeat him.”
God promises to defeat David’s enemies and destroy them completely (verse 23). The word translated crush is a process in which pressure is brought to bear on two sides of an object. However, in this context the sense of this action is in its results. The thing is crushed, destroyed, collapsed, broken to pieces. When the object is animate, crushing refers to disabling or to destruction. The sense here is to destroy, do away with. In some languages verse 23a may be rendered “While he is watching I will wipe out his enemies” or “… do away with his enemies.” In some languages this expression may best be handled as a simile, “I will crush his enemies as a person smashes an egg.” In verse 23 before him has not been included by Good News Translation; something like the following can be done: “In his presence (or, As he looks on) I will destroy his foes.” In line b strike down translates a verb that is used only here in the Psalms in this sense; see its use in 91.12b “strike (your foot).”
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 .