In this verse Revised Standard Version consistently maintains the metaphor, and some readers, unaware of the figurative nature of the language, may understand the words in a literal fashion.

The verse begins with “My nefesh” (see 3.2), which may be emphatic (New Jerusalem Bible “As for me…”), or else it may go with in the midst of lions, while the verb I lie goes with “those who devour men.” So Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, which translates, “I am among lions, lying down among creatures….” Most translations are like Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation. The expression in the midst of lions in some languages must be adjusted; for example, where the lion is unknown and there are other large animals that will attack people, such animals may be used in place of lions. If no such animal is known, then the translator may have to say “wild animals.”

For other passages in which the psalmist’s enemies are compared with lions see 7.2; 10.9; 17.12. The Hebrew verb form in line b translated “eating” by Good News Translation means “to devour,” that is, destructive and greedy eating; it is not necessary, as Revised Standard Version has done, to supply another Hebrew verb on the supposition that this verb means only “to burn up” (see Anderson). Good News Translation and New Jerusalem Bible have “man-eating lions.” For comments on the phrase sons of men, see 11.4.

The psalmist pictures his enemies to be like lions whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords–obvious metaphors for ferociousness and destructive fury (see similar language in 52.2; 55.21). Sharp swords in some languages where the sword is unknown may be rendered “sharp knives.”

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 .