In verse 20 the psalmist, in summary, asks the LORD to punish his enemies with all the misfortunes listed in verses 6-19. Some translations attach this verse to the end of the preceding strophe (Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible, Biblia Dios Habla Hoy); Good News Translation, New International Version, Bible de Jérusalem, New Jerusalem Bible, Bible en français courant, New American Bible connect it to what follows; Traduction œcuménique de la Bible separates it from both. Perhaps it is better to join it to verse 19 as the summary of the preceding verses.
Good News Translation uses the second person of address to God, consistently with the second person in the next verse. Accusers in line a translates the same word used in verse 6b. It should be noted that Revised Standard Version‘s placing of from the LORD may make it appear that it goes with accusers; of course it goes with the reward.
In verse 20b Good News Translation “against me” translates “against my nefesh”; Revised Standard Version against my life is an unnatural, literal rendition of the Hebrew.
In verse 21 GOD my Lord translates the unusual “Yahweh, my Lord”–the divine name and the title; for thy name’s sake (Good News Translation “as you have promised”), see 23.3 and comments. In the last line of verse 21, thy steadfast love is good is a rather unusual statement; something like “because of your love and your goodness” or “because you are good and you love me” may be a good translation (see New Jerusalem Bible “Good and faithful as You are”). Deliver translates the verb used in 7.1.
In verse 22b Good News Translation “I am hurt” translates the verb “to be pierced” (see New Jerusalem Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible, Dahood); this means distress, anguish, emotional turmoil and pain. The ancient versions presuppose another Hebrew verb, “to writhe (in pain),” which Briggs prefers.
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 .