Again there is much uncertainty over the meaning of the first line of this verse. The text seems to say, “They increase their troubles (or, sorrow), another (one) they hasten to.” Revised Standard Version translates the last Hebrew word as choose (translated “rush to” in Good News Translation). This verb has two meanings: (1) to obtain something by paying for it; (2) to go quickly or do something quickly. Anderson prefers to derive the form from a verb meaning “to lust for,” and understands the text to mean “those who lust after other gods.” It is also possible to take the verb to mean “to turn to” (as an extension of “to exchange”); New Jerusalem Bible has “espouse”; Weiser understands “flatter.” It is recommended that the meaning expressed by Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation (and Bible en français courant) be followed.4 Hebrew Old Testament Text Project offers the following translation of verses 3-4a: “(and I said) concerning the holy ones who are on the earth, and the mighty ones in whom all my desire (was placed): ‘May their pains be multiplied, (those) who hasten (towards) a foreign (god).’ ”
In some languages both “rush to” and choose will be more ambiguous than in English. It will sometimes be advisable to select an event term which also is relational, such as “follow” or “serve”; for example, “People who serve other gods will have trouble.”
The psalmist declares he will have no part in idol worship: (1) He will not “pour out blood offerings” (libations of blood) as part of the ritual sacrifices, probably the blood of the sacrificed animals. Some, however, take the word to refer to persons offering wine to their gods to pay for the blood they had spilled, that is, the murder of innocent victims. In languages where the pouring of libations is well known, a local expression can no doubt be used. However, if the practice is unknown an adjustment to a more generic level is possible, as in Good News Translation. In many languages where sacrifice is unknown, a descriptive phrase may be used; for example, “I will not kill animals and give them as gifts to them” or “I will not give them burned gifts in the form of animals.”
(2) The psalmist will not “mention their names” (take their names upon my lips), which may refer to the people who worship idols, and the psalmist vows not to have anything to do with them; he will not even speak of them. It seems more likely, however, that their names are the names of the gods being worshiped, and that the vow is not to worship them (see Anderson). To “mention their names” is to invoke them in worship. In some languages it will be possible to keep something of the form of the final line; for example, “I will not speak their names in prayer” or “when I pray I will not call out their names.”
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 .