Vindicate me in verse 24a is the action that is to follow that of awaking in verse 23, as Yahweh takes the psalmist’s side. Here the psalmist asks that Yahweh declare him innocent of all charges. Vindicate me in some languages is expressed as “Say that I have done no wrong” or “Tell the people that I am innocent.”

According to thy righteousness: “because you are righteous” (see important discussion at 31.1).

For line b see verse 19a.

In verse 25 we have our heart’s desire means that the enemies would have achieved what they wanted, that is, the psalmist’s condemnation, and that is what the psalmist wants Yahweh to prevent. The Hebrew of line b is “Aha, our nefesh,” the word nefesh being used here of desire (see also 3.2). We have swallowed him up (see same language used of Yahweh in 21.9) is a picturesque way of saying “We have ruined him completely” (Biblia Dios Habla Hoy), “We have gotten rid of him” (see Good News Translation). Many languages, particularly in Africa, use the “swallow” figure for total destruction.

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 .