The hostility of the psalmist’s enemies is described in conventional terms: they lay their snares (see similar language in 31.4; 35.7; for snares see discussion at 18.5); they speak of ruin, that is, discuss how they can ruin him (see similar situation in 35.4), and plot against him (see similar situation in 35.20c). Good News Translation has put into clear, natural English what is expressed in Revised Standard Version in stilted “biblical” language. New English Bible takes all three lines of the verse to refer to verbal assaults: “defame me … spread cruel gossip … mutter slanders.”

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 .