7 The form יָנִי (yaniy) appears to be derived from the verbal root נוּא (nu’). Another option is to emend the form to יְנָא (yéna’), a Piel from נָאָה (na’ah), and translate “may choice oil not adorn my head” (see L. C. Allen, Psalms 101–150 [], ). In this case, choice oil, like delicacies in v. 4, symbolize the pleasures of sin.
8 May my head not refuse choice oil. The psalmist compares the constructive criticism of the godly (see the previous line) to having refreshing olive oil poured over one’s head.
9 Heb “for still, and my prayer [is] against their evil deeds.” The syntax of the Hebrew text is difficult; the sequence -כִּי־עוֹד וּ (kiy-’od u-, “for still and”) occurs only here. The translation assumes an emendation to כִּי עֵד תְפלָּתִי (“indeed a witness [is] my prayer”). The psalmist’s lament about the evil actions of sinful men (see v. 4) testifies against the wicked in the divine court.
10 Heb “they are thrown down by the hands of a cliff, their judges.” The syntax of the Hebrew text is difficult and the meaning uncertain. The perfect verbal form is understood as rhetorical; the psalmist describes the anticipated downfall of the wicked as if it had already occurred. “Their judges” could be taken as the subject of the verb, but this makes little, if any, sense. The translation assumes the judges are the agents and that the wicked, mentioned earlier in the psalm, are the subjects of the verb.
11 It is unclear how this statement relates to the preceding sentence. Perhaps the judges are the referent of the pronominal subject (“they”) of the verb “will listen,” and “my words” are the referent of the pronominal subject (“they”) of the phrase “are pleasant.” The psalmist may be affirming here his confidence that he will be vindicated when he presents his case before the judges, while the wicked will be punished.
12 Heb “like splitting and breaking open in the earth.” The meaning of the statement and the point of the comparison are not entirely clear. Perhaps the psalmist is suggesting that he and other godly individuals are as good as dead; their bones are scattered about like dirt that is dug up and tossed aside.

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

Let a righteous man strike me—it is a kindness;

let him rebuke me—it is oil for my head;

let my head not refuse it.

Yet my prayer is continually against their evil deeds.

When their judges are thrown over the cliff,

then they shall hear my words, for they are pleasant.

As when one plows and breaks up the earth,

so shall our bones be scattered at the mouth of Sheol.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

Let a righteous man strike me—that is a kindness;

let him rebuke me—that is oil on my head.

My head will not refuse it,

for my prayer will still be against the deeds of evildoers.

Their rulers will be thrown down from the cliffs,

and the wicked will learn that my words were well spoken.

They will say, “As one plows and breaks up the earth,

so our bones have been scattered at the mouth of the grave.”

CSBChristian Standard Bible

Let the righteous one strike me—

it is an act of faithful love;

let him rebuke me—

it is oil for my head;

let me not refuse it.

Even now my prayer is against

the evil acts of the wicked.

When their rulers will be thrown off

the sides of a cliff,

the people will listen to my words,

for they are pleasing.

As when one plows and breaks up the soil,

turning up rocks,

so our bones have been scattered

at the mouth of Sheol.

NLTNew Living Translation

Let the godly strike me!

It will be a kindness!

If they correct me, it is soothing medicine.

Don’t let me refuse it.

But I pray constantly

against the wicked and their deeds.

When their leaders are thrown down from a cliff,

the wicked will listen to my words and find them true.

Like rocks brought up by a plow,

the bones of the wicked will lie scattered without burial.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

Let a righteous one strike me in kindness,

and let him chasten me.

It is oil for my head; let not my head refuse.

For still my prayer is against their evil deeds.

When their judges are thrown down the sides of a cliff,

then they will understand that my words were pleasant.

As when one plows and breaks up the earth,

so our bones are scattered at the mouth of Sheol.

KJV 1900King James Version

Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness:

And let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil,

Which shall not break my head:

For yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities.

When their judges are overthrown in stony places,

They shall hear my words; for they are sweet.

Our bones are scattered at the grave’s mouth,

As when one cutteth and cleaveth wood upon the earth.

Public Domain