In line a the Hebrew is “you hide them in the hiding place of your face”–the word “face” here meaning, as often, “presence.” For the same sentiment, expressed in similar language, see 27.5. In the covert of thy presence is translated in Good News Translation by two noun phrases, “in the safety of your presence.” However, in many languages this expression will have to be recast; for example, “You hide them in a safe place where you are present.” When combining lines a and b, one may say “You hide them where you are present, and keep them safe from people’s plots.”

In line b the word translated plots occurs only here in the Old Testament; it seems to mean “roughness” and is variously interpreted: New English Bible “men in league together”; New Jerusalem Bible “human plotting”; Bible de Jérusalem “intrigues”; New Jerusalem Bible “scheming men”; Zürcher Bibel “ravings”; Dahood “slanderings.” An American Translation, New American Bible translate as do Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation.

The shelter here may be, as in 27.5, the Temple (so Taylor), or it may be God’s general care and protection.

The strife of tongues in line d may be taken either as “insults” (Good News Translation, Biblia Dios Habla Hoy) or as “accusations, attacks” (see New International Version).

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 .