16 The speaker changes here to an individual, perhaps the worship leader or the king. The oscillation between singular (vv. 4, 6) and plural (vv. 1–3, 5, 7–8) in vv. 1–8 may reflect an antiphonal ceremony.
17 The assumes a participle here (מְצַוֶּה [métsavveh], “the one who commands/decrees”) which would stand in apposition to “my God.” It is possible that the , which has the imperative (צַוֵּה, tsavveh) form, has suffered haplography of the letter mem (ם). Note that the preceding word (אֱלֹהִים, ’elohim) ends in mem. Another option is that the is divided in the wrong place; perhaps one could move the final mem from אֱלֹהִים to the beginning of the next word and read מְצַוֶּה אֱלֹהָי (’elohay métsavveh, “[You are my king,] my God, the one who decrees”). Or “command.” This may be the Israelites’ petition prior to the battle. See the introductory note to the psalm.
18 That is, Israel. See Pss 14:7; 22:23.
19 Heb “by you.”
20 Heb “gore” (like an ox). If this portion of the psalm contains the song of confidence/petition the Israelites recited prior to battle, then the imperfects here and in the next line may express their expectation of victory. Another option is that the imperfects function in an emphatic generalizing manner. In this case one might translate, “you [always] drive back … you [always] trample down.” The Hebrew verb translated “drive back” is literally “gore”; the imagery is that of a powerful wild ox that “gores” its enemies and tramples them underfoot.
21 Heb “in your name.” The Lord’s “name” refers here to his revealed character or personal presence. Specifically in this context his ability to deliver, protect, and energize for battle is in view (see Ps 54:1).
22 The image of the powerful wild ox continues; see the note on the phrase “drive back” in the preceding line.
23 Heb “those who rise up [against] us.”
24 Or “have delivered,” if past successes are in view. Another option is to take the perfect as rhetorical, emphasizing that victory is certain (note the use of the imperfect in vv. 5–6).
25 Or “have humiliated,” if past successes are in view. Another option is to take the perfect as rhetorical, emphasizing that victory is certain (note the use of the imperfect in vv. 5–6).

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

You are my King, O God;

ordain salvation for Jacob!

Through you we push down our foes;

through your name we tread down those who rise up against us.

For not in my bow do I trust,

nor can my sword save me.

But you have saved us from our foes

and have put to shame those who hate us.

In God we have boasted continually,

and we will give thanks to your name forever. Selah

NIVNew International Version (2011)

You are my King and my God,

who decrees victories for Jacob.

Through you we push back our enemies;

through your name we trample our foes.

I put no trust in my bow,

my sword does not bring me victory;

but you give us victory over our enemies,

you put our adversaries to shame.

In God we make our boast all day long,

and we will praise your name forever.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

You are my King, my God,

who ordains victories for Jacob.

Through you we drive back our foes;

through your name we trample our enemies.

For I do not trust in my bow,

and my sword does not bring me victory.

But you give us victory over our foes

and let those who hate us be disgraced.

We boast in God all day long;

we will praise your name forever.

Selah

NLTNew Living Translation

You are my King and my God.

You command victories for Israel.

Only by your power can we push back our enemies;

only in your name can we trample our foes.

I do not trust in my bow;

I do not count on my sword to save me.

You are the one who gives us victory over our enemies;

you disgrace those who hate us.

O God, we give glory to you all day long

and constantly praise your name.

Interlude

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

You are my king, O God.

Command victories for Jacob.

By you we push down our enemies;

by your name we tread down those who rise up against us.

For I do not trust my bow,

and my sword cannot give me victory.

Rather you have saved us from our enemies,

and have humiliated those who hate us.

In God we boast all the day,

and we will give thanks to your name forever. Selah

KJV 1900King James Version

Thou art my King, O God:

Command deliverances for Jacob.

Through thee will we push down our enemies:

Through thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us.

For I will not trust in my bow,

Neither shall my sword save me.

But thou hast saved us from our enemies,

And hast put them to shame that hated us.

In God we boast all the day long,

And praise thy name for ever. Selah.

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