Psalms 35:17

17 Lord, 1how long will You look on? Rescue my soul 2from their ravages, My 3only 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 rejoiced and gathered themselves together; The smiters whom I did not know gathered together against me, They slandered me without ceasing.
16 Like godless jesters at a feast, They gnashed at me with their teeth.
17 Lord , how long will You look on? Rescue my soul from their ravages, My only life from the lions.
18 I will give You thanks in the great congregation; I will praise You among a mighty throng.
19 Do not let those who are wrongfully my enemies rejoice over me; Nor let those who hate me without cause wink maliciously .

Cross References 3

  • 1. Psalms 13:1; Habakkuk 1:13
  • 2. Psalms 35:7
  • 3. Psalms 22:20, 21
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