In verses 118-119 the psalmist describes Yahweh’s attitude toward those who do not keep the Law. Spurn means to reject, to disapprove of, not accept. For go astray from see the similar expressions, “stray from” in verse 110b and “forsake” in verses 53b, 87b.

In verse 118b their cunning is in vain means that their deceitful plans will fail. Biblia Dios Habla Hoy translates “their thoughts are senseless.” But the Hebrew word translated in vain can be taken to mean “false, a lie”; so New Jerusalem Bible translates “they are false and deceitful.” Bible en français courant translates “their plots cover up falsehood.”

In verse 119a the psalmist says Yahweh looks upon the wicked as garbage; dross is the worthless material which is thrown away in the process of smelting ore or metal (see the word further in Pro 25.4; Isa 1.22, 25). In languages where metal smelting is well known, the translator must make certain that the term for dross is not a technical term known only to a handful of specialists. If it is, there are two choices: he may employ a more generic term such as Good News Translation‘s “rubbish” or use a descriptive phrase such as “worthless things that are thrown out.” The verb in this line of the Masoretic text is “to stop, put away” (see its use in 8.2; 46.9a); a few Hebrew manuscripts and some ancient versions have the verb “consider, treat,” which Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, and Biblia Dios Habla Hoy follow, and which is also the preference of the majority of the Hebrew Old Testament Text Project committee. The Hebrew Old Testament Text Project committee not only divided on whether to follow the Masoretic text or some Hebrew manuscripts and ancient versions, but of those who were in favor of the verb “consider,” a majority were for the second person singular “you consider”; the minority were for the first person singular “I consider” (as in the Qumran manuscript and the Septuagint).

In verse 120 the verb translated trembles is found only here and in Job 4.15 (“hair … stood up”); the related word “bristly” is found in Jeremiah 51.27. This verse is unusual in that the psalmist expresses fear and apprehension, instead of pleasure and delight as he usually does. The psalmist’s strong expressions should not be softened in translation. Bible en français courant renders trembles as “respect which you inspire,” which is something of an attempt to give a positive basis for the psalmist’s fear. However, this may not be the reason for his fear. Good News Translation has translated My flesh as “I.” Many translators will want to follow Good News Translation here. However, if it is natural to express fear as “my body…,” “my skin (or some other body part) trembles,” this should, of course, be done.

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 .