In verse 21 some contend that it is not a matter of the wicked man’s being dishonest (so Good News Translation), but of his being unable to repay because of his bad luck (so Revised Standard Version); it seems preferable to follow the interpretation of Good News Translation (the vast majority of translations).

The thought of verse 22 is similar to that of verse 9. The Hebrew is, literally, “His blessed ones … his cursed ones,” which most translations understand to mean “those blessed by the LORD … those cursed by the LORD.” New American Bible and New Jerusalem Bible take the one who blesses to be the good man (of verse 21b): “those he blesses … those he curses.” It seems better to take the LORD as the one who blesses. The Septuagint translates the two participles not as passives (blessed … cursed) but as actives (“who bless him … who curse him”).

Those blessed by the LORD may be translated in some languages as “those whom God has favored” or “those who receive good things from God.” For possess the land see verses 9, 11.

Those cursed by him should not be translated as “those whom God has sworn at” but rather “those whom God has put a curse on” or “those whom God has harmed.” For shall be cut off see verse 9a.

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 .