The psalmist’s description of his enemies (verses 3-5) uses the conventional figures of swords (see 55.21; 57.4; 59.7), arrows, and ambush (see 7.15; 9.15; 35.7). The figures are clear enough; what is uncertain is whether they mean accusations, lies, slander, or if they refer to the use of magical formulas and oaths which were thought to have the power to cause disease, disaster, and death.

Some understand bitter in verse 3b (Good News Translation “cruel”) to mean poison; so Dahood “with poisonous substance (they) tip their arrows.” Biblia Dios Habla Hoy uses a good simile: “they shoot their poisonous words like arrows.” Many languages will be able to maintain the figurative expressions found in verses 3-5, and translators should make an effort to do so, provided ample adjustments are made to make the meaning clear. In some languages it will not be possible to speak of “sharpening the tongue.” However, one may sometimes say “they use their tongues like sharpened swords.” Who aim bitter words like arrows can sometimes be translated “who shoot poison words like a hunter shoots poison arrows.”

In verse 4 the enemies are pictured as shooting their arrows from ambush (see the same figure in 11.2), suddenly and without fear. Good News Translation has abandoned the metaphor altogether; “They are quick” translates suddenly, and “shameless” represents the Hebrew “they are not afraid.” “Lies” and “slander” stand for the arrows that are shot. Generally speaking the translator should continue the figurative language, unless the idea of shooting from ambush obscures the developing picture. Without fear means that they are not afraid that anyone will see them or accuse them of wrongdoing. Instead of the Masoretic text “they are not afraid,” Syriac has “they are not seen,” which New English Bible prefers. The translator should stay with the Masoretic text.

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 .