3 Or “perish”; or “die.” The imperfect verbal forms in this line either emphasize what typically happens or describe vividly the aftermath of a recent battle in which the Lord defeated the psalmist’s enemies.
4 Heb “for you accomplished my justice and my legal claim.”
5 Heb “you sat on a throne [as] one who judges [with] righteousness.” The perfect verbal forms in v. 4 probably allude to a recent victory (see vv. 5–7). Another option is to understand the verbs as describing what is typical (“you defend … you sit on a throne”).
6 The verb גָּעַר (ga’ar) is often understood to mean “rebuke” and in this context taken to refer to the Lord’s “rebuke” of the nations. In some cases it is apparent that scolding or threatening is in view (see Gen 37:10; Ruth 2:16; Zech 3:2). However, in militaristic contexts this translation is inadequate, for the verb refers in this setting to the warrior’s battle cry, which terrifies and paralyzes the enemy. See A. Caquot, 3:53, and note the use of the verb in Pss 68:30; 106:9; and Nah 1:4, as well as the related noun in Job 26:11; Pss 18:15; 76:6; 104:7; Isa 50:2; 51:20; 66:15.
7 The singular form is collective (note “nations” and “their name”). In the psalms the “wicked” (רְשָׁעִים, résha’im) are typically proud, practical atheists (Ps 10:2, 4, 11) who hate God’s commands, commit sinful deeds, speak lies and slander (Ps 50:16–20), and cheat others (Ps 37:21). In this context the hostile nations who threaten Israel/Judah are in view.
8 Heb “their name you wiped out forever and ever.” The three perfect verbal forms in v. 5 probably refer to a recent victory (definite past or present perfect use), although they might express what is typical (characteristic use).
9 Heb “the enemy—they have come to an end [in] ruins permanently.” The singular form אוֹיֵב (’oyev, “enemy”) is collective. It is placed at the beginning of the verse to heighten the contrast with יְהוָה (yéhvah, “the Lord”) in v. 7.
10 Heb “you uprooted cities.”
11 Heb “it has perished, their remembrance, they.” The independent pronoun at the end of the line is in apposition to the preceding pronominal suffix and lends emphasis (see §16.3.4). The referent of the masculine pronoun is the nations/enemies (cf. v. 5), not the cities (the Hebrew noun עָרִים [’arim, “cities”] is grammatically feminine). This has been specified in the present translation for clarity; many modern translations retain the pronoun “them,” resulting in ambiguity (cf. “their cities you have rooted out; the very memory of them has perished”).

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

When my enemies turn back,

they stumble and perish before your presence.

For you have maintained my just cause;

you have sat on the throne, giving righteous judgment.

You have rebuked the nations; you have made the wicked perish;

you have blotted out their name forever and ever.

The enemy came to an end in everlasting ruins;

their cities you rooted out;

the very memory of them has perished.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

My enemies turn back;

they stumble and perish before you.

For you have upheld my right and my cause,

sitting enthroned as the righteous judge.

You have rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked;

you have blotted out their name for ever and ever.

Endless ruin has overtaken my enemies,

you have uprooted their cities;

even the memory of them has perished.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

When my enemies retreat,

they stumble and perish before you.

For you have upheld my just cause;

you are seated on your throne as a righteous judge.

You have rebuked the nations:

You have destroyed the wicked;

you have erased their name forever and ever.

The enemy has come to eternal ruin;

you have uprooted the cities,

and the very memory of them has perished.

NLTNew Living Translation

My enemies retreated;

they staggered and died when you appeared.

For you have judged in my favor;

from your throne you have judged with fairness.

You have rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked;

you have erased their names forever.

The enemy is finished, in endless ruins;

the cities you uprooted are now forgotten.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

When my enemies turn back,

they will stumble and perish because of your presence.

For you have maintained my just cause;

you have sat on the throne judging correctly.

You have rebuked the nations;

you have destroyed the wicked.

Their name you have blotted out

forever and ever.

The enemies are destroyed in ruins forever,

and you have uprooted their cities;

their very memory has perished.

KJV 1900King James Version

When mine enemies are turned back,

They shall fall and perish at thy presence.

For thou hast maintained my right and my cause;

Thou satest in the throne judging right.

Thou hast rebuked the heathen, thou hast destroyed the wicked,

Thou hast put out their name for ever and ever.

O thou enemy, destructions are come to a perpetual end:

And thou hast destroyed cities;

Their memorial is perished with them.

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