OET interlinear PSA 37:20

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-logic-contrast

כִּ֤י

(Some words not found in UHB: that/for/because/then/when wicked perish and,the_enemies_of YHWH [will,be]_like_a_splendid_[thing]_of pastures vanish in,smoke vanish_away )

David uses the word For here to indicate a contrast between the fate of “the blameless” mentioned in vs. 18 and the fate of the wicked. In your translation, indicate this contrast in a way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [However,]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / nominaladj

רְשָׁעִ֨ים

(Some words not found in UHB: that/for/because/then/when wicked perish and,the_enemies_of YHWH [will,be]_like_a_splendid_[thing]_of pastures vanish in,smoke vanish_away )

David is using the adjective wicked as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this adjective with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: [those who are wicked]

כִּ⁠יקַ֣ר כָּרִ֑ים

(Some words not found in UHB: that/for/because/then/when wicked perish and,the_enemies_of YHWH [will,be]_like_a_splendid_[thing]_of pastures vanish in,smoke vanish_away )

The word translated as pastures could also be translated as “rams.” So this could refer to: (1) flowers that grow in the meadows and then quickly fade away. Alternate translation: [will be like the flowers of the meadow] or (2) the choicest parts of the ram that is offered for sacrifice. Alternate translation: [will be like the choice parts of rams]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / simile

וְ⁠אֹיְבֵ֣י יְ֭הוָה כִּ⁠יקַ֣ר כָּרִ֑ים

and,the_enemies_of YHWH (Some words not found in UHB: that/for/because/then/when wicked perish and,the_enemies_of YHWH [will,be]_like_a_splendid_[thing]_of pastures vanish in,smoke vanish_away )

The point of this comparison is that just as the wildflower in the field or the precious of pastures is beautiful but quickly fades away, so the enemies of Yahweh will quickly perish. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: [and the enemies of Yahweh will be like flowers in the meadow that quickly wither]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / nominaladj

כִּ⁠יקַ֣ר כָּרִ֑ים

(Some words not found in UHB: that/for/because/then/when wicked perish and,the_enemies_of YHWH [will,be]_like_a_splendid_[thing]_of pastures vanish in,smoke vanish_away )

David is using the adjective precious as a noun to mean a certain kind of thing. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this adjective with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: [will be like the beautiful flowers in the pastures]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

כָּל֖וּ בֶ⁠עָשָׁ֣ן כָּֽלוּ

(Some words not found in UHB: that/for/because/then/when wicked perish and,the_enemies_of YHWH [will,be]_like_a_splendid_[thing]_of pastures vanish in,smoke vanish_away )

David is speaking of the disappearance of the wicked as if they were smoke that quickly vanishes. Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation, or you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [they disappear completely, they are utterly gone]