Psalms 35:17

17 How long, O Lord, will you look on? Rescue me from their ravages, my life 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 at my stumbling they gathered in glee, they gathered together against me; ruffians whom I did not know tore at me without ceasing;
16 they impiously mocked more and more, gnashing at me with their teeth.
17 How long, O Lord, will you look on? Rescue me from their ravages, my life from the lions!
18 Then I will thank you in the great congregation; in the mighty throng I will praise you.
19 Do not let my treacherous enemies rejoice over me, or those who hate me without cause wink the eye.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.