The language of verse 14 is very much like that of 35.4, 26 (see also 6.10). “To snatch away my nefesh” (see 3.2) means “to kill me.”

In verse 14a put to shame and in verse 15a their shame refer to the shame of defeat (see comments at 6.10).

The requests expressed with “May” in Good News Translation and Let in Revised Standard Version will have to be shifted in some languages to more explicit requests; for example, “I ask that….”

The passive constructions used in Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation will in many languages have to be shifted to active constructions; for example, “I ask that you defeat and confuse those who try to kill me.” Both Good News Translation and Revised Standard Version use the expression be turned back, which can have several meanings. It is important that the translator not understand this expression in the sense of being refused, but rather with the meaning of being defeated and sent away. In some languages this may be translated as “I ask that they flee,” or “I ask that they be chased away” or “… that you chase them away.”

In some languages dishonor is spoken of as “to speak against” or “to take away the praise.”

It is impossible to be dogmatic about whether verse 14d means who desire my hurt (also New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, Biblia Dios Habla Hoy, New English Bible) or “who are happy because of my troubles” (Good News Translation; also New Jerusalem Bible, Bible en français courant, Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch). The translator should feel free to choose. Verse 15a be appalled because of their shame means “be horrified at their complete defeat.” “Be dismayed by their defeat,” as expressed in Good News Translation, will often have to be recast to say “may they be dismayed because God has defeated them.”

In verse 15b who say to me, “Aha, Aha!” is a vivid description of the psalmist’s enemies mocking him (see comments on this expression in 35.21).

The psalmist’s prayer for the defeat of his enemies is based on the conviction that, in opposing him, his enemies are showing their hostility toward Yahweh himself.

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 .