The verbs in verse 1 may be understood as statements of regularly occurring events, as Good News Translation, New English Bible, New American Bible, and Traduction œcuménique de la Bible translate them (see Weiser, Briggs, Dahood; Biblia Dios Habla Hoy has “When God arises…”); New Jerusalem Bible interprets them as future, “God will arise.” Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New International Version, and Bible en français courant translate them as petitions. If the understanding is correct that this psalm was used in a service in the Temple celebrating God’s victories, then the first interpretation seems more likely. But since this is quite uncertain, perhaps it is better to use the form of petition in verses 1-3.
The words of verse 1 are similar to those in Numbers 10.35, where God is called upon to arise and scatter his enemies. For arise see 3.7; 7.6; 9.19; 10.12; 12.5.
God’s enemies (verse 1a) are called those who hate him (verse 1b) and the wicked (verse 2c).
In verse 2a God is addressed in the second person; for consistency with verse 1, Good News Translation uses the third person.
Two figures are used in verse 2 to describe how quickly and thoroughly God will win the victory over his enemies: they are like smoke that is easily blown away (see 37.20 for the same figure) and like wax which the fire quickly melts (see also 22.14 and comments). In languages where the passive voice is uncommon or nonexistent, smoke is driven away must often be translated “As wind blows smoke away….”
Perish before God: this describes not only location, that is, that they die in front of God rather than somewhere else; it implies also the effective cause of death, that is, God’s presence will slay them.
Because God defeats his enemies, the righteous (that is, God’s faithful people, the people of Israel) are called upon to rejoice and celebrate before God, meaning probably public worship in the Temple. In some languages before God or Good News Translation‘s “in God’s presence” may be rendered “where God is.”
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 .