OET interlinear PSA 68:2

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / simile

כְּ⁠הִנְדֹּ֥ף עָשָׁ֗ן תִּ֫נְדֹּ֥ף

(Some words not found in UHB: arise ʼElohīm scattered enemies_of,his and,may_they_flee [those_of,who]_hate_him from,before_of,him )

The point of this comparison is that just as smoke is driven away easily and completely by wind, so should God’s enemies be easily and completely driven away. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: [Scatter them completely, just as smoke is scattered by the wind]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

כְּ⁠הִנְדֹּ֥ף עָשָׁ֗ן

(Some words not found in UHB: arise ʼElohīm scattered enemies_of,his and,may_they_flee [those_of,who]_hate_him from,before_of,him )

The expression smoke is driven away 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. Alternate translation: [the wind drives smoke away]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / simile

כְּ⁠הִמֵּ֣ס דּ֭וֹנַג מִ⁠פְּנֵי־אֵ֑שׁ יֹאבְד֥וּ רְ֝שָׁעִ֗ים מִ⁠פְּנֵ֥י אֱלֹהִֽים

(Some words not found in UHB: arise ʼElohīm scattered enemies_of,his and,may_they_flee [those_of,who]_hate_him from,before_of,him )

The point of this comparison is that just as wax melts from the face of fire, dissolving and disappearing before heat, so will the wicked perish before God. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: [just as wax dissolves when heat strikes it, let the wicked perish before God]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

מִ⁠פְּנֵי־אֵ֑שׁ

(Some words not found in UHB: arise ʼElohīm scattered enemies_of,his and,may_they_flee [those_of,who]_hate_him from,before_of,him )

Here, from the face of fire represents being near the front surface of fire. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: [from the heat of fire]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / imperative3p

יֹאבְד֥וּ רְ֝שָׁעִ֗ים

(Some words not found in UHB: arise ʼElohīm scattered enemies_of,his and,may_they_flee [those_of,who]_hate_him from,before_of,him )

By using let, the psalmist is expressing what he desires or prays will happen. 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. Alternate translation: [the wicked should be destroyed]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / nominaladj

רְ֝שָׁעִ֗ים

(Some words not found in UHB: arise ʼElohīm scattered enemies_of,his and,may_they_flee [those_of,who]_hate_him from,before_of,him )

The psalmist 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: [wicked people]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

מִ⁠פְּנֵ֥י אֱלֹהִֽים

(Some words not found in UHB: arise ʼElohīm scattered enemies_of,his and,may_they_flee [those_of,who]_hate_him from,before_of,him )

Here, from the face of God represents being away from God’s presence. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: [from before God]