In You would confound the pronoun is plural, and the phrase refers to the evildoers described in the previous verses. The verb is a causative of the verb “be ashamed” (see 6.10), meaning here to put to shame, that is, to defeat, humiliate, “frustrate” (Good News Translation); New Jerusalem Bible “set at nought”; Biblia Dios Habla Hoy “mock.” The Hebrew term translated confound is expressed in some languages as “to make fun of” or “laugh at.”

Revised Standard Version would confound translates the verb as a planned, potential act, not as an actual act. It seems better to translate as a fact, as do Good News Translation and others.

The word translated plans is taken by some to mean “anguish” (see 13.2); Biblia Dios Habla Hoy translates “hopes.” Plans may also be understood in terms of desires or wishes.

The poor is either one who is materially poor (so Revised Standard Version) or else one who has nothing to sustain him except humble trust in God (see 9.12, where Revised Standard Version translates “the afflicted”). The term poor is sometimes rendered as “a man who has nothing,” “the one who lives far from the chief’s compound” or “a person having only one pig.”

The noun translated refuge is formed from the verb “to be safe” (see comments at 2.12). The LORD is his refuge must often be rendered “The LORD is the one who takes care of him” or “The LORD is the one who protects him from danger.”

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 .