Their mighty one did not fall: Their mighty one refers to Holofernes. Did not fall means “wasn’t killed” (Contemporary English Version).

Nor did the sons of the Titans smite him, nor did tall giants set upon him: Titans are the ancient gods of Greek mythology. It is surprising to find Titans brought into the text, but in the Greek Bible the word is used at 2 Sam 5.18, 22 to translate the Hebrew word “Rephaim,” which refers to people thought of as giants. Titans and tall giants are obviously used in parallel here; combining them as “mighty giants” (Good News Translation) is efficient and effective. The translator should be warned that there is a contrast in this psalm between the sons of the Titans here and the “sons of maidservants” in verse 12; this contrast can be preserved in translation if something like “descendants of giants” is used at this point. See the note at verse 12. Set upon him is synonymous with smite him, meaning “kill him.”

In many languages these first three lines may be combined as follows:

• Young men or the descendants of huge giants didn’t kill the Assyrian leader.

Judith … undid him with the beauty of her countenance: Undid him is literally “rendered him helpless, paralyzed him.” It means “frustrated his plans,” “brought him down,” or “ruined him.” It is specifically the beauty of her countenance, that is, her face, that undoes Holofernes (13.16).

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Judith. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.