In verse 13 there is again the parallelism my people and Israel, here in reverse order from the order in verse 11. Bible en français courant combines the two as follows: “Ah, if my people, if Israel would listen to me, if they had followed the way I drew for them….” In line b walk in my ways means to live as God wants his people to live (see 119.3; 128.1).

It would be well to make clear the connection between verse 13 and verse 14 by beginning verse 14 with “If they did, I would….”

In verse 14b turn my hand against means “fight,” “strike” (New Jerusalem Bible), “punish” (Biblia Dios Habla Hoy), “conquer” (Good News Translation).

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 .