Psalms 35:17

17 How much longer, Lord, will you just look on? Rescue me from their attacks; save my life from these 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 in trouble, they were all glad and gathered around to make fun of me; strangers beat me and kept striking me.
16 Like those who would mock a cripple, they glared at me with hate.
17 How much longer, Lord, will you just look on? Rescue me from their attacks; save my life from these lions!
18 Then I will thank you in the assembly of your people; I will praise you before them all.
19 Don't let my enemies, those liars, gloat over my defeat. Don't let those who hate me for no reason smirk with delight over my sorrow.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.