The psalmist joins his plea for God’s help (verse 12) to a denunciation of his enemies (verse 13), an affirmation of his trust in God (verse 14), and a promise to praise him for his goodness (verses 15-16).

For the language of verse 12a, see 22.1b; 38.21b. Except for the divine name, verse 12b is identical with 40.13b (see also 22.19; 40.17). In some languages it is impossible to say my God, since God cannot be possessed like ordinary physical objects. In such cases it is often necessary to shift to a relative clause; for example, “God, whom I worship” or “God, whom I serve.”

The language of verse 13 is similar to that of 40.14. My accusers translates “the accusers of my nefesh” (see 3.2); the verb “accuse” is the same one translated “are my adversaries” in 38.20b. In English “attack” (Good News Translation) may be taken to mean a physical action, so it is better to translate “accuse, slander, denounce.”

Put to shame is translated “defeated” in Good News Translation (see comments on 6.10b); and instead of the Masoretic text consumed, some translations prefer to follow some Hebrew manuscripts and Syriac, which have “be dishonored” (as in 35.4; 40.14; 70.2; see New English Bible). In languages which do not use passive constructions, it will be necessary to shift be put to shame and consumed to active constructions; for example, “defeat them and destroy them.”

With scorn and disgrace may they be covered (“be shamed and disgraced”) translates “be covered with reproach and disgrace” (see similar language in 35.26d).

Hurt here is not necessarily physical; something like “harm, damage, ruin,” conveys the sense of the word.

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 .