In verses 19-22 the psalmist abruptly switches to his hatred for Yahweh’s enemies, whom he regards as his own enemies. He asks God to slay the wicked, who are “violent men” (literally “men of bloods”; see comments on “bloodthirsty” in 5.6). The Hebrew in verse 19b is in the form of direct address, “depart from me, violent men!” (so Bible de Jérusalem, New Jerusalem Bible, New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible); Good News Translation, Revised Standard Version, New English Bible, New American Bible, and Biblia Dios Habla Hoy put it in indirect form, which makes it go more easily with the preceding line. Biblia Dios Habla Hoy and Bible en français courant translate the line as a request to God: “drive far away from me those murderers”; this may be followed by translators.

In verse 20 maliciously translates the Hebrew “with malice (or, wickedness).” The second line in the Masoretic text seems to mean “they take up in vain your cities.” The word translated “your cities” is what it means in Hebrew; but if it is read as Aramaic, it may mean “your enemies,” which is the sense that Hebrew Old Testament Text Project assigns it here, and for which it proposes the following translation: “being your enemies, they mention in vain” (the object “you” being understood). Revised Standard Version, instead of the Masoretic text “your cities (or, your enemies),” conjectures against thee; Good News Translation conjectures “against your name.” Good News Translation‘s “against your name” is the same as Revised Standard Version‘s against thee.

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 .