Psalms 35:17

17 How long, Lord, will you look on? Rescue me from their ravages, my precious life from these lions.

Psalms 35:17 in Other Translations

KJV
17 Lord, how long wilt thou look on? rescue my soul from their destructions, my darling from the lions.
ESV
17 How long, O Lord, will you look on? Rescue me from their destruction, my precious life from the lions!
NLT
17 How long, O Lord, will you look on and do nothing? Rescue me from their fierce attacks. Protect my life from these lions!
MSG
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.
CSB
17 Lord, how long will You look on? Rescue my life from their ravages, my very life from the young 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 stumbled, they gathered in glee; assailants gathered against me without my knowledge. They slandered me without ceasing.
16 Like the ungodly they maliciously mocked;they gnashed their teeth at me.
17 How long, Lord, will you look on? Rescue me from their ravages, my precious life from these lions.
18 I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among the throngs I will praise you.
19 Do not let those gloat over me who are my enemies without cause; do not let those who hate me without reason maliciously wink the eye.

Cross References 3

  • 1. Psalms 6:3; Habakkuk 1:13
  • 2. Psalms 22:20
  • 3. Psalms 22:21; Psalms 57:4; Psalms 58:6
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