My bosom friend translates “the man of my peace”; here the word shalom (in contrast with 29.11) probably involves the idea of a covenant; see New Jerusalem Bible “My ally.” Most translations have “My best friend.”

Who ate of my bread may be rendered “who used to eat with me” or, as Bible en français courant translates, “with whom I shared my bread.” Bread stands for food in general.

The expression lifted his heel against me may express the idea of violence; most, however, see it in terms of an insult or of betrayal, treachery. New Jerusalem Bible has “has been utterly false to me”; Biblia Dios Habla Hoy “has betrayed me”; Bible en français courant “turned against me”; also possible is “took advantage of me.” Has lifted his heel against me with the meaning of “betray” is sometimes expressed idiomatically as “one who eats with you and sells you.” In this sense one may translate line b as “he has eaten with me and sold me” or “he has sold me as an enemy.”

Part of this verse is used in John 13.18, as a reference to Judas Iscariot.

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 .