51 The Hebrew נֶאֱמָנִים (ne’emanim) is the Niphal participle; it is often translated “the faithful” in the Bible. The Rabbis rather fancifully took the word from נְאֻם (né’um, “oracle, utterance”) and so rendered it “those who are eloquent, fluent in words.” But that would make this the only place in the Bible where this form came from that root or any other root besides אָמַן (’aman, “confirm, support”). But to say that God takes away the speech of the truthful or the faithful would be very difficult. It has to refer to reliable men, because it is parallel to the elders or old men. The has “trusted advisers,” which fits well with kings and judges and priests.
52 Heb “he removes the lip of the trusted ones.”
53 Heb “taste,” meaning “opinion” or “decision.”
54 The expression in Hebrew uses מְזִיחַ (méziakh, “belt”) and the Piel verb רִפָּה (rippah, “to loosen”) so that “to loosen the belt of the mighty” would indicate “to disarm/incapacitate the mighty.” Others have opted to change the text: P. emends to read “forehead”—“he humbles the brow of the mighty.”
55 The word אָפַק (’afaq, “to be strong”) is well-attested, and the form אָפִיק (’afiq) is a normal adjective formation. So a translation like “mighty” (, ) or “powerful” is acceptable, and further emendations are unnecessary.
56 The Hebrew word is traditionally rendered “shadow of death” (so , ); see comments at .

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

He deprives of speech those who are trusted

and takes away the discernment of the elders.

He pours contempt on princes

and loosens the belt of the strong.

He uncovers the deeps out of darkness

and brings deep darkness to light.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

He silences the lips of trusted advisers

and takes away the discernment of elders.

He pours contempt on nobles

and disarms the mighty.

He reveals the deep things of darkness

and brings utter darkness into the light.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

He deprives trusted advisers of speech

and takes away the elders’ good judgment.

He pours out contempt on nobles

and disarms the strong.

He reveals mysteries from the darkness

and brings the deepest darkness into the light.

NLTNew Living Translation

He silences the trusted adviser

and removes the insight of the elders.

He pours disgrace upon princes

and disarms the strong.

“He uncovers mysteries hidden in darkness;

he brings light to the deepest gloom.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

He deprives the trustworthy of speech,

and he takes away the discretion of elders.

He pours contempt on noblemen,

and he loosens the girdle of the mighty.

“He uncovers mysteries out of darkness,

and he brings deep shadow to the light.

KJV 1900King James Version

He removeth away the speech of the trusty,

And taketh away the understanding of the aged.

He poureth contempt upon princes,

And weakeneth the strength of the mighty.

He discovereth deep things out of darkness,

And bringeth out to light the shadow of death.

Public Domain