This verse (together with verse 2) is taken as part of the advice given by the psalmist’s friends; it is possible, however, to take verses 2-3 as the psalmist’s own words in explaining to his friends why their advice is impractical (Anderson).

If the foundations are destroyed is a figure for the complete breakdown of law and order in the community (see 82.5). Bible en français courant translates “The standards of the society are in ruins.”

The question what can the righteous do? is a way of saying that there is nothing they can do; but the text may be translated “What have the righteous accomplished?” that is, all their efforts to maintain law and order have been useless (Kirkpatrick; see New Jerusalem Bible footnote). Some (Dahood; see also New International Version and New Jerusalem Bible footnote) take the singular “the righteous” as a title for God, “the Righteous One.” It seems better to take the word to refer to people, not to God.

The sudden introduction of the foundations with no apparent connection to verse 2 creates confusion. Therefore Good News Translation has bridged this gap by switching the two lines. If the translator follows Good News Translation, it may still be necessary to make clear that the foundations destroyed are the results of the acts of the wicked in verse 2. Consequently it may be clearer to say, for example, “and there is nothing good people can do when the wicked destroy the laws” or “… the people’s customs.”

Some languages prefer the order of statement of condition followed by result, as in Revised Standard Version. Good News Translation uses a result clause followed by a temporal clause, which is also a condition. It is also possible to use a temporal clause followed by a rhetorical question, which may require an answer; for example, “When everything falls apart, what can a good man do? He can do nothing.”

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 .