This verse may be taken as a wish, that is, a curse, as Good News Translation, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, and Bible en français courant have it, or else as a statement (Revised Standard Version and others). As a statement the verse means that the heathen who make and trust in idols are like them, without any value or power; they can accomplish nothing. “Those who trust in idols, which are nothing, are bound to become as nothing themselves” (Anderson). Or else, “Those who trust in idols, which have no power, will themselves become powerless.” The verse speaks of two different groups: (1) those who make the idols, and (2) those who trust in them. This is clear in Revised Standard Version but not in Good News Translation. The two are not distinct, however, as though the idols’ makers (line a) did not trust in them (line b). So a translation should read “May all who made them become powerless like them, as well as all others who also trust in them.”

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 .