In line a it is not certain whether the Hebrew verb here means “to come down on” or “to rest upon”; that is, whether it means (in this context) “rule” or “continue to rule.” Good News Translation takes it in the latter sense (also Anderson, Briggs, Toombs, New American Bible, Biblia Dios Habla Hoy, New International Version, Bible en français courant, Weiser); the former is the choice of New Jerusalem Bible, Bible de Jérusalem, New Jerusalem Bible, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, Dahood. Revised Standard Version seems to mean the latter, but rest can be taken to mean “remain.” It is not possible to be dogmatic, but probably “will not always rule” is the meaning to be preferred. The scepter of wickedness means “a wicked ruler” or “wicked rulers.” A scepter was a symbol of power, and it is used as a figure for the person who wields power.

In this same line the land allotted translates the Hebrew word for “lot,” that is, the means by which ownership of a parcel of land was decided (“casting the lots”; see the same Hebrew word in 16.5; 22.18); Biblia Dios Habla Hoy translates “the land that God has given to his people.”

In the last part of the verse, lest the righteous put forth their hands to do wrong implies that, should wicked rulers, that is, heathen kings, rule the land of Israel, the Israelites themselves might adopt the pagan ways of their conquerors, especially their religion. The righteous refers to the faithful in Israel and may be translated as “people who are loyal to God” or “people who trust in God.”

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 .