This verse describes how the wicked react to the success and prosperity of the righteous: they are angry; “they glare in hate” (literally “they grind their teeth”; see 35.16; 37.12); and then they disappear. The wicked man sees it … and Good News Translation‘s “… sees this” will have to be recast in some languages to say “Wicked people see how the good person prospers, and they become angry.” The second verb in line b translates the Hebrew verb “to melt,” which is variously understood: “illness” (Anderson), “pines away” (New American Bible, Dahood), “despair” (New English Bible), loss of courage (New Jerusalem Bible), dismay (Weiser), or “loss of power,” “loss of reputation.” It is quite likely, however, that it means death (Toombs).

In verse 10c Good News Translation and New English Bible take the Hebrew desire to mean “hopes”; Biblia Dios Habla Hoy has “ambition.” Anderson comments: “the plans and the things coveted by the wicked come to nothing.” The desire of the wicked man comes to nought and Good News Translation‘s “their hopes are gone…” may sometimes be rendered as “what wicked people plan to do does not succeed” or “the hopes of wicked people are bound to fail.”

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 .