9 Heb “they give strength to themselves, an evil matter [or “word”].”
10 Heb “they report about hiding.”
11 Heb “they say.”
12 If this is a direct quotation (cf. , ), the pronoun “them” refers to the snares mentioned in the previous line. If it is an indirect quotation, then the pronoun may refer to the enemies themselves (cf. , which is ambiguous). Some translations retain the direct quotation but alter the pronoun to “us,” referring clearly to the enemies (cf. ).
13 Heb “search out, examine,” which here means (by metonymy) “devise.”
14 The has תַּמְנוּ (tamnu, “we are finished”), a Qal perfect first common plural form from the verbal root תָּמַם (tamam). Some understand this as the beginning of a quotation of the enemies’ words and translate, “we have completed,” but the Hiphil would seem to be required in this case. The present translation follows many medieval Hebrew in reading טָמְנוּ (tomnu, “they hide”), a Qal perfect third common plural form from the verbal root טָמַן (taman).
15 Heb “a searched-out search,” which is understood as referring here to a thoroughly planned plot to destroy the psalmist.
16 Heb “and the inner part of man, and a heart [is] deep.” The point seems to be that a man’s inner thoughts are incapable of being discovered. No one is a mind reader! Consequently the psalmist is vulnerable to his enemies’ well-disguised plots.

In other versions

They hold fast to their evil purpose;

they talk of laying snares secretly,

thinking, “Who can see them?”

They search out injustice,

saying, “We have accomplished a diligent search.”

For the inward mind and heart of a man are deep.

They encourage each other in evil plans,

they talk about hiding their snares;

they say, “Who will see it?”

They plot injustice and say,

“We have devised a perfect plan!”

Surely the human mind and heart are cunning.

They adopt an evil plan;

they talk about hiding traps and say,

“Who will see them?”

They devise crimes and say,

“We have perfected a secret plan.”

The inner man and the heart are mysterious.

They encourage each other to do evil

and plan how to set their traps in secret.

“Who will ever notice?” they ask.

As they plot their crimes, they say,

“We have devised the perfect plan!”

Yes, the human heart and mind are cunning.

They encourage themselves in the evil matter.

They talk of secretly laying snares.

They say, “Who will see them?”

They carefully plot injustices saying,

“We have perfected the perfect plot!”

Both the inner thought and heart of a man are deep.

They encourage themselves in an evil matter:

They commune of laying snares privily;

They say, Who shall see them?

They search out iniquities;

They accomplish a diligent search:

Both the inward thought of every one of them, and the heart, is deep.

Public Domain