The psalmist finishes with a final threat of death against his enemies. God will “push them down into the deepest pit,” that is, into Sheol, the world of the dead.

He calls them men of blood and treachery, that is, “murderers and liars.” The expression men of blood or “murderers” must sometimes be rendered “men who kill people.” Similarly, men of … treachery may be “… who betray people” or “… who deceive.”

Their final punishment will come “before half their life is over” (Good News Translation; see verse 15a-b, where the psalmist prays that his enemies may die suddenly and disastrously, while they are still young and healthy).

The psalm closes with a word of trust in God.

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 .