OET interlinear PSA 35:4

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / imperative3p

יֵבֹ֣שׁוּ וְ⁠יִכָּלְמוּ֮ מְבַקְשֵׁ֪י נַ֫פְשִׁ֥⁠י יִסֹּ֣גוּ אָח֣וֹר וְ⁠יַחְפְּר֑וּ חֹ֝שְׁבֵ֗י רָעָתִֽ⁠י

put_to_shame (Some words not found in UHB: put_to_shame and,may_they_be_humiliated seek_of life_of,(of)_my may_they_be_turned back and,may_they_be_abashed devise_of harm_of,(of)_my )

In this verse and throughout the psalm, David is saying what he wants Yahweh to do. See the discussion in the introduction to this book about “let” and “may” and follow the decision of your team of how a speaker will express in this context what he wants someone to do.

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / doublet

יֵבֹ֣שׁוּ וְ⁠יִכָּלְמוּ֮ מְבַקְשֵׁ֪י נַ֫פְשִׁ֥⁠י

put_to_shame (Some words not found in UHB: put_to_shame and,may_they_be_humiliated seek_of life_of,(of)_my may_they_be_turned back and,may_they_be_abashed devise_of harm_of,(of)_my )

The expressions have shame and be dishonored mean similar things. David is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: [May those who want to kill me be utterly disgraced]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

מְבַקְשֵׁ֪י נַ֫פְשִׁ֥⁠י

(Some words not found in UHB: put_to_shame and,may_they_be_humiliated seek_of life_of,(of)_my may_they_be_turned back and,may_they_be_abashed devise_of harm_of,(of)_my )

David is using seek my life as a common expression to mean “try to kill me.” If this phrase does not have that meaning for your readers, you could use a comparable expression from your language that does have that meaning, or you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [those who try to kill me]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

וְ⁠יִכָּלְמוּ֮

(Some words not found in UHB: put_to_shame and,may_they_be_humiliated seek_of life_of,(of)_my may_they_be_turned back and,may_they_be_abashed devise_of harm_of,(of)_my )

The expression be dishonored is a passive verbal form. If it would be unnatural to use that form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who did the action, it is clear from the context that it was Yahweh. Alternate translation: [and may Yahweh dishonor them]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

יִסֹּ֣גוּ אָח֣וֹר וְ⁠יַחְפְּר֑וּ חֹ֝שְׁבֵ֗י רָעָתִֽ⁠י

(Some words not found in UHB: put_to_shame and,may_they_be_humiliated seek_of life_of,(of)_my may_they_be_turned back and,may_they_be_abashed devise_of harm_of,(of)_my )

Here David is speaking of being unable to accomplish a goal as if the enemies were walking one direction and had to be turned back. Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation, or you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [May those who plan my harm be unsuccessful and confused]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

יִסֹּ֣גוּ אָח֣וֹר וְ⁠יַחְפְּר֑וּ חֹ֝שְׁבֵ֗י רָעָתִֽ⁠י

(Some words not found in UHB: put_to_shame and,may_they_be_humiliated seek_of life_of,(of)_my may_they_be_turned back and,may_they_be_abashed devise_of harm_of,(of)_my )

The expression be turned back is a passive verbal form. If it would be unnatural to use that form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who did the action, it is clear from the context that it was Yahweh. Alternate translation: [May Yahweh cause those who plan my harm to be unsuccessful and confused]