Consider: see verse 18a.

In describing his enemies’ hatred, the psalmist calls it a violent hatred, which can mean a hatred that leads to violence, or else a very strong hatred. Violent hatred will often have to be recast as an idiomatic clause; for example, “they hate me with hearts that can kill.” In some languages one may translate “they hate with black hearts” or “in their hatred their stomachs do evil.”

Guard my life (verse 20) translates “protect my nefesh” (see discussion at 3.2); deliver is here the same verb as in 7.2.

For shame see verses 2-3; the negative not be put to shame (Good News Translation “keep me from defeat”) can be stated in a positive way, “make me victorious,” “give me victory over my enemies.” For refuge see comment at 2.12. It is best to follow Revised Standard Version, for I take refuge in thee, as the ground, or reason, for the psalmist’s request for safety.

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 .