Bowed down may mean “prostrated themselves” (New Jerusalem Bible), as in 4.11, but a different verb is used here, and the reference is more likely to getting down on the knees, perhaps with heads to the ground.

Worshiped God: Their worshiping is conveyed by their words, so Contemporary English Version has “worshiped God by saying, ‘We praise you….’ ” This is not a prayer as Good News Translation translates.

Blessed art thou: This is the use of Blessed to refer to the people’s adoration of God as praiseworthy and gracious, rather than to God’s own happiness. See the note on this usage at Tob 3.11.

Who hast brought into contempt this day the enemies of thy people may be rendered “Today, you have let us humiliate our enemies.” Note that this model changes the third person reference thy people to a first person reference “us” since the people are the speakers. Good News Translation is incorrect with “triumphed over.”

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Judith. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.