Psalms 35:17

KJV

¶ Lord, how long wilt thou look on? rescue my soul from their destructions, my darling from the lions.

KJV (with Strong's)

Lord {H136}, how long wilt thou look on {H7200}? rescue {H7725}{H8685)} my soul {H5315} from their destructions {H7722}, my darling {H3173} from the lions {H3715}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Adonai, how much longer will you look on? Rescue me from their assaults, save the one life I have from the lions!

Berean Standard Bible

How long, O Lord, will You look on? Rescue my soul from their ravages, my precious life from these lions.

American Standard Version

Lord, how long wilt thou look on? Rescue my soul from their destructions, My darling from the lions.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 35:17 is a profound and urgent cry from a righteous sufferer, likely David, to the Lord. It expresses a deep sense of abandonment and desperation in the face of overwhelming and destructive enemies. The psalmist pleads for immediate divine intervention, questioning God's apparent inaction ("how long wilt thou look on?") and imploring Him to rescue his precious life, metaphorically depicted as a vulnerable "darling" under attack from fierce "lions." This verse encapsulates the raw emotion of lament, the human struggle with God's timing, and an unwavering trust in His ultimate power to deliver from mortal peril.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 35 is a fervent individual lament, a plea for vindication and deliverance from malicious enemies. The psalm opens with David calling upon God to contend with his adversaries and fight on his behalf, asserting his righteousness and seeking divine justice against those who unjustly persecute him ([Psalms 35:1-3](/psalms/35-1 "Psalm 35:1-3 - David's Plea for Divine Intervention")). He details the treachery and unprovoked hostility he endures, describing how his enemies repay him evil for good, mock him in his affliction, and plot his downfall without cause, despite his past compassion towards them ([Psalms 35:7-16](/psalms/35-7 "Psalm 35:7-16 - The Unjust Persecution of David")). Verse 17 marks a pivotal moment, shifting from a detailed description of his plight and the wickedness of his foes to a direct, impassioned, and impatient appeal to God. It is a desperate cry for God to cease His passive observation and actively intervene to rescue the psalmist's life from imminent destruction. The verses immediately following this plea continue to express hope for God's action and a commitment to praise Him upon deliverance ([Psalms 35:18-28](/psalms/35-18 "Psalm 35:18-28 - Anticipation of Deliverance and Praise")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While the specific historical backdrop for Psalm 35 is not explicitly stated, it is traditionally attributed to David, likely reflecting periods of intense persecution from figures like King Saul, Absalom, or even unnamed adversaries within his own court. Such periods were characterized by political intrigue, betrayal, and life-threatening opposition, where one's reputation and very existence could be jeopardized by powerful enemies. The imagery of "lions" would have resonated deeply in ancient Israel, where wild animals posed a constant threat to shepherds and travelers, symbolizing powerful, predatory, and relentless enemies. The concept of "destructions" or "desolations" could refer to the ruin brought upon one's reputation, property, or very existence by malicious plots and attacks. The public nature of justice and vindication in ancient Near Eastern societies also underscores David's desire for God to "look on" and then act decisively to clear his name and save his life before onlookers, demonstrating divine righteousness.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the Psalms and the broader biblical narrative. It highlights the theme of **Lament and Honest Prayer**, demonstrating that it is not only permissible but spiritually healthy to express raw emotion, even impatience, to God in times of distress, as seen in other psalms like [Psalm 13:1](/psalms/13-1 "Psalm 13:1 - How Long, O Lord?"). The core plea for "rescue" underscores God's role as the ultimate **Deliverer and Protector**, a recurring motif throughout the Psalter where God is portrayed as a refuge and strong tower for the righteous ([Psalm 91:2](/psalms/91-2 "Psalm 91:2 - God as Refuge and Fortress")). Furthermore, the vivid imagery of "lions" emphasizes the **Severity of Threat and Vulnerability of the Righteous**, a theme explored in other laments where the psalmist feels surrounded by overwhelming and predatory forces ([Psalm 22:20-21](/psalms/22-20 "Psalm 22:20-21 - Deliverance from the Lion's Mouth")). Finally, the question "how long wilt thou look on?" speaks to the profound human struggle with **God's Timing and Apparent Silence** in the face of suffering, yet it is framed within an underlying expectation of divine intervention.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **"how long" (Hebrew, _‘ad-’anah'_):** This interrogative phrase, literally "until when?", is a common expression of lament in the Psalms, signaling deep distress, impatience, and an urgent longing for God's intervention. It conveys a sense of prolonged suffering and the psalmist's perception of God's apparent delay or inaction. It is not an accusation of God's inability, but rather a heartfelt plea for Him to cease His passive observation and actively engage in the situation.
* **"destructions" (Hebrew, _sho'onam'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to roar, be boisterous, desolate," this word can refer to the noise of their attack, their ruinous plots, or the desolation they intend to bring upon the psalmist. It signifies the comprehensive and devastating nature of the harm his enemies seek to inflict, encompassing not just physical harm but also the destruction of reputation, peace, and well-being.
* **"my darling" (Hebrew, _yechidati'_):** This term, literally "my only one" or "my unique one," refers to something supremely precious and irreplaceable. In this context, it most likely refers to the psalmist's very life or soul, emphasizing its singular value and extreme vulnerability. It intensifies the plea, highlighting that what is at stake is his most cherished possession, his very existence, which is now under existential threat.
* **"lions" (Hebrew, _kefirim'_):** This word specifically refers to young lions, known for their strength, ferocity, and predatory nature. As a metaphor, "lions" vividly represents the psalmist's enemies: powerful, relentless, and intent on devouring him. This imagery underscores the mortal danger and overwhelming opposition David faces, portraying his adversaries as savage and merciless predators.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Lord, how long wilt thou look on?":** This rhetorical question is a direct address to God, expressing the psalmist's profound anguish and impatience. It conveys a sense of being observed by God, yet without immediate intervention, prompting a desperate plea for Him to break His perceived silence and act decisively. It is an honest outpouring of a heart burdened by prolonged suffering and the apparent delay of divine justice.
* **"rescue my soul from their destructions":** This is a fervent petition for deliverance. "My soul" (Hebrew: _nephesh_) refers to the psalmist's entire being – his life, his personhood, his vitality. He asks God to save him from the ruin, desolation, and destructive plots orchestrated by his enemies, highlighting the comprehensive nature of the threat against his existence and well-being.
* **"my darling from the lions":** This clause parallels and intensifies the preceding plea through powerful metaphor. "My darling" signifies his precious, irreplaceable life or soul, while "the lions" represent his fierce, predatory enemies. The request is for God to snatch his most valuable possession from the jaws of those who seek to utterly destroy him, emphasizing the direness of his situation and the need for immediate, powerful divine intervention.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices to convey its urgent message and emotional intensity. The opening "Lord, **how long** wilt thou look on?" is a classic **Rhetorical Question** common in laments, expressing deep anguish and impatience without necessarily expecting a literal answer, but rather serving as an impassioned plea for action. The most striking device is the **Metaphor** in "my darling from the lions." "My darling" (_yechidati_) metaphorically represents the psalmist's precious, unique life or soul, while "lions" (_kefirim_) are a powerful metaphor for his fierce, predatory, and overwhelming enemies. This imagery vividly portrays the mortal danger and the psalmist's extreme vulnerability. Furthermore, there is an implicit **Parallelism** between "rescue my soul from their destructions" and "my darling from the lions," where the second clause rephrases and intensifies the first, using more vivid and specific imagery to underscore the severity of the threat and the urgency of the plea for deliverance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 35:17 profoundly articulates the human experience of suffering and the theological tension between God's sovereignty and His apparent silence in the face of injustice. It affirms the legitimacy of honest lament, demonstrating that faith does not preclude expressing raw emotions or questioning God's timing. The psalmist's plea for rescue underscores God's character as the ultimate Deliverer, who is attentive to the cries of His people and powerful enough to save them from any "destruction" or "lion." This verse also highlights the immense value God places on human life and soul, portraying it as a "darling" worthy of divine protection, even when threatened by overwhelming evil. It serves as a testament to persistent prayer and unwavering trust in God's eventual vindication and salvation, even when His intervention seems delayed.

* [Psalm 13:1](/psalms/13-1 "Psalm 13:1 - A Cry of Despair and Hope")
* [Psalm 22:20-21](/psalms/22-20 "Psalm 22:20-21 - Deliverance from the Lion's Mouth")
* [Psalm 74:10](/psalms/74-10 "Psalm 74:10 - How Long, O God?")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 35:17 offers profound comfort and guidance for believers navigating periods of intense difficulty, injustice, or spiritual attack. It validates the human experience of feeling overwhelmed and even abandoned, granting permission to bring our rawest emotions and most desperate questions directly to God. In moments when God seems distant or inactive, this verse encourages persistent, fervent prayer, reminding us that our "darling"—our very soul and life—is precious in His sight. It calls us to maintain hope and trust in His sovereign timing and ultimate power to deliver, even when the "lions" of our circumstances seem insurmountable. This passage serves as a powerful reminder that God hears the cries of His people and will act to rescue and vindicate them, not necessarily on our timeline, but always in His perfect way. It encourages us to cast our anxieties upon Him, knowing He cares for us and will ultimately triumph over all forms of destruction.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you feel like God is "looking on" without intervening, and how does this verse encourage you to pray honestly?**
* **What are the "lions" or "destructions" you are currently facing, and how does the metaphor of "my darling" deepen your understanding of what is at stake?**
* **How can you cultivate a deeper trust in God's timing and His character as a deliverer, even when answers to prayer seem delayed?**

### FAQ
**Question?** What does "my darling" specifically refer to in this verse, and why is it significant?

Answer: In Psalms 35:17, "my darling" translates the Hebrew word _yechidati_ (יְחִידָתִי), which literally means "my only one," "my unique one," or "my solitary one." This term is used elsewhere in scripture to refer to an only child (e.g., [Genesis 22:2](/genesis/22-2 "Genesis 22:2 - Abraham's Only Son")) or something supremely precious and irreplaceable. In the context of David's prayer for rescue, it most profoundly refers to his very life or soul (_nephesh_). Its significance lies in emphasizing the extreme preciousness and vulnerability of what is at stake. By calling his life "my darling," David underscores that it is his most valuable possession, something he cherishes above all else, which is now under existential threat from his enemies. This intensifies the urgency and desperation of his plea to God, highlighting the comprehensive nature of the rescue he seeks.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 35:17 finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. His own cry on the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")), echoes the psalmist's lament "how long wilt thou look on?", demonstrating that even the Son of God experienced the profound human anguish of perceived divine abandonment while enduring the ultimate "destructions" of sin and death. Jesus, the "only begotten Son" ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")), is the true "darling"—God's uniquely precious and beloved Son—who was indeed delivered from the "lions" of death, the grave, and the power of the evil one through His resurrection ([Acts 2:24](/acts/2-24 "Acts 2:24 - God Raised Jesus From the Dead")). His victory over these spiritual enemies ensures that all who are in Him are likewise rescued. Through His atoning sacrifice, Christ delivers our souls from the eternal "destructions" of sin and judgment, offering us new life and eternal security. He is the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep, protecting our "souls" and "darlings" from the roaring lion, Satan, who seeks to devour us ([1 Peter 5:8](/1_peter/5-8 "1 Peter 5:8 - Be Sober-Minded; The Devil Prowls")). Thus, the desperate plea of the psalmist for rescue finds its perfect and complete answer in the triumphant deliverance wrought by our Lord Jesus Christ.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Habakkuk 1:13

[Thou art] of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, [and] holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth [the man that is] more righteous than he?

Psalms 74:9

We see not our signs: [there is] no more any prophet: neither [is there] among us any that knoweth how long.

Psalms 74:10

O God, how long shall the adversary reproach? shall the enemy blaspheme thy name for ever?

Psalms 89:46

How long, LORD? wilt thou hide thyself for ever? shall thy wrath burn like fire?

Psalms 22:20

Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog.

Psalms 22:21

Save me from the lion's mouth: for thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns.

Psalms 94:3

LORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph?