11:9a

David says: This is a historical present. In many languages the normal way of referring to a past event must be used. For example:

David said (New Living Translation (2004))

This clause introduces a quote from Scripture. Some language translations always note that in their translations. For example:

David, ⌊in Scripture,⌋ said ⌊long ago⌋

But 11:8 was also a quote from Scripture, so it may not be necessary to make it explicit again here that the following words are Scripture.

David: This name refers to King David, king of the Israelites. He lived about a thousand years before Paul wrote this letter. Some language translations always indicate that he was king. For example:

king David

11:9b

May their table become a snare and a trap: Here David asked God to make the table of his enemies become a snare and a trap.

Paul applied this to a different group of people than David did. You should not explain who their refers to in your translation. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

Let their table become a snare and a trap (English Standard Version)
-or-
Turn their table into a snare and a trap

table: Here the word table refers to the meal table. It represents the meals eaten there and in particular the fellowship of the people at the table. Here are other ways to translate this word:

place of eating
-or-
meals (Contemporary English Version)
-or-

⌊fellowship at the⌋ table

snare: The Greek word here refers to a thing for trapping animals, often birds.

trap: The Greek word here refers to a net or similar device for catching animals, usually not birds.

General Comment on 11:9b

The words “snare” and “trap” are figures of speech here. They imply harm to those snared or trapped. In some languages a literal translation would refer only to an actual snare and an actual trap. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Add the word “like” or a word or phrase of similar meaning. For example:

Let their table become ⌊something⌋ ⌊like⌋ a snare and a trap/net

• Translate the meaning without the figure of speech. For example:

Let their own feasts trap them and cause their ruin (New Century Version)

11:9c

The Greek has the word usually translated “and” or “but.” Here it continues the list of bad things that David wanted to happen to his enemies. For example:

and a stumbling block…

a stumbling block: This refers to something that causes a person to trip or fall. See how you translated this Greek word in 9:33 (“that will make them fall” (New Revised Standard Version)) or Matthew 16:23 (“a stumbling block” (New International Version)) or 1 Corinthians 1:23 (“stumbling block”) or 1 Peter 2:8 (“of stumbling”).

a retribution: Here the word retribution refers to what is paid back. Here it refers to bad consequences back to themselves for their evil deeds or punishment for them. Here are other ways to translate this word:

punishment (God’s Word)
-or-
be paid back (New Century Version)

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