In these verses the psalmist describes his own sense of disgrace and shame over his people’s pitiful condition. Shame has covered my face is rendered in some languages, for example, “they have taken away my praise” or “they have caused my face to burn.”

In verse 16a “from the voice of” (Revised Standard Version at the words of) refers to the enemies’ actual presence; it can be represented by something like “from being confronted by….”

In verse 16b Good News Translation has “my” and “me” as the object of the enemies’ hatred (also New English Bible, New International Version); the Hebrew text has no explicit object, however, and it could well be “our” and “us,” that is, the people of Israel, not the psalmist personally.

For enemy and avenger in verse 16b, see 8.2 and comments.

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 .