Psalms 35:17

17 God, how long are you going to stand there doing nothing? Save me from their brutalities; everything I've got is being thrown to the lions.

Psalms 35:17 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 35:17

Lord, how long wilt thou look on?
&c.] And behold these injuries and insults, and not arise to help and save? The psalmist firmly believed the omniscience of God, and was well assured he saw all that was done; but he was ready to consider him only as a spectator; or, however, seems impatient until he arose and showed himself strong on his behalf; see ( Psalms 35:22 Psalms 35:23 ) ;

rescue my soul from their destructions, my darling from the lions;
his "soul" and his "darling" mean the same; either his life, than which nothing is dearer to a man; or his soul, his more noble part, and which was now "alone", or solitary, as the word F1 used signifies; being forsaken of God and men, and was desolate and afflicted, as it is rendered ( Psalms 25:16 ) ; or his whole person, which was among men comparable to lions, for their strength and savageness, who breathed out nothing but cruelty and destruction; from which he desires he might be rescued, or returned to the quiet possession of his own house, and the house of God: the words are much the same with those of the Messiah, (See Gill on Psalms 22:20) and (See Gill on Psalms 22:21).


FOOTNOTES:

F1 (ytdyxy) "solitariam meam", Piscator, Gejerus, Schmidt, Michaelis; so Ainsworth.

Psalms 35:17 In-Context

15 But when I was down they threw a party! All the nameless riffraff of the town came chanting insults about me.
16 Like barbarians desecrating a shrine, they destroyed my reputation.
17 God, how long are you going to stand there doing nothing? Save me from their brutalities; everything I've got is being thrown to the lions.
18 I will give you full credit when everyone gathers for worship; When the people turn out in force I will say my Hallelujahs.
19 Don't let these liars, my enemies, have a party at my expense, Those who hate me for no reason, winking and rolling their eyes.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.