Psalms 35:17

17 Adonai, how much longer will you look on? Rescue me from their assaults, save the one life I have from 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 stumble, they gather in glee; they gather against me and strike me unawares; they tear me apart unceasingly.
16 With ungodly mocking and grimacing, they grind their teeth at me.
17 Adonai, how much longer will you look on? Rescue me from their assaults, save the one life I have from the lions!
18 I will give you thanks in the great assembly, I will give you praise among huge crowds of people.
19 Don't let those who are wrongfully my enemies gloat over me; and those who hate me unprovoked -don't let them smirk at me.
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.