In verse 24a God’s indignation is parallel with burning anger in verse 24b; the word translated indignation can be thought of as a curse (so also in 38.3a).

In many languages the expression Pour out thy indignation must be recast in terms of punishment; for example, “Punish them in your anger” or “Be angry and punish them.” Let thy burning anger overtake them can sometimes be rendered “in your hot anger chase them until you catch them.”

The language of verse 25, camp and tents, recalls the time when the Israelites lived in tents, as they journeyed toward the Promised Land; it is probable that here the two words are simply synonyms for “towns” and “homes.” The psalmist wants his enemies and their families to be completely exterminated, so that their cities and homes will be left completely empty of inhabitants. In languages which will not express the passive verb constructions in lines a and b, it may be necessary to say “make them abandon their camps; cause everyone in their tents to die.”

This verse, changed and adapted to apply to one man (Judas), is quoted in Acts 1.20.

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 .