Psalms 35:17 · Bible study
Psalms 35:17 Commentary: Rescue My Soul from the Lions
Hebrew · 11 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Why does God delay when the righteous suffer? Psalm 35:17 wrestles with this painful question in Hebrew poetic language.
Research Summary
- Meaning: David cries out to God who appears inactive, pleading for deliverance from savage enemies because his life is precious and solitary.
- Key words: “look on” (ra’ah, to see but not intervene), “darling” (yachid, only one/solitary), “lions” (kephirim, young lions, fierce enemies).
- Main debate: Whether “my darling” refers solely to David’s unique life or typologically anticipates Christ (cf. Clarke, Gill on Psalm 22:20).
- Theological theme: The righteous sufferer’s lament and trust in God’s ultimate justice despite apparent delay.
- Best use: A model for honest prayer when God’s timing is hidden and enemies seem to prevail.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
How long, O Lord, will You look on? Rescue my soul from their ravages, my precious life from these lions.
WEB World English Bible 2000
Lord, how long will you look on? Rescue my soul from their destruction, my precious life from the lions.
KJV King James Version 1769
Lord, how long wilt thou look on? rescue my soul from their destructions, my darling from the lions.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
Lord, how long wilt thou look on? Rescue my soul from their destructions, My darling from the lions.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
Lord, how long dost thou behold? Keep back my soul from their desolations, From young lions my only one.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
Lord, how long wilt thou look on? Rescue my soul from their destructions, my only one from the young lions.
Translations in other languages (9 available)
Señor, ¿ hasta cuándo verás esto? Recobra mi alma de sus quebrantamientos, mi única de los leones.
Senhor, até quando tu somente observarás? Resgata minha alma das assolações deles; minha única vida dos filhos dos leões.
Seigneur! Jusques à quand le verras-tu?
Herr, wie lange willst du zusehen? Errette doch meine Seele aus ihrem Getümmel und meine einsame von den jungen Löwen!
HEERE! hoe lang zult Gij toezien? Breng mijn ziel weder van hunlieder verwoestingen, mijn eenzame van de jonge leeuwen.
O Signore, fino a quando vedrai tu questo? Ritrai l’anima mia dalle loro ruine, l’unica mia, di fra i leoncelli.
Panie! długoż na to patrzeć będziesz? wyrwijże duszę moję od zguby ich, od lwiąt jedynaczkę moję.
主啊，你看著 不理要到幾時呢？求你救 我的靈魂 脫離他們的殘害！救我的生命（生命：原文是獨一者）脫離少壯獅子！
Lord, how long will you be looking on? take my soul from their destruction, my life from the lions.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · Psalms 35:17
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across traditions agree that Psalm 35:17 captures the crisis of the righteous sufferer who sees God aware of his plight yet silent. Barnes notes the verb “look on” implies God sees everything yet does not intervene, a question that still haunts believers today. Gill and Wesley emphasize that “my darling” translates yechidathi, meaning “my only one”, a term expressing the solitary, precious nature of the psalmist’s life, now at risk. The image of “lions” (kephirim) describes enemies with savage strength (Cambridge, Keil & Delitzsch). There is agreement that the psalmist does not doubt God’s power or awareness, but he wrestles with God’s timing. The cry “how long?” is not rebellion but the raw language of covenant relationship. Christians across generations have found in this verse a voice for their own unanswered questions, knowing that the same God who seemed slow to David was working a deliverance that would eventually resound in the great assembly (v.18).
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Personal Lament of David: Most commentators read this as David’s historical cry against Saul and his court, grounded in the psalm title and surrounding context (vv.13–16).
- Messianic Typology: Clarke and Gill see the language of 'my darling' as pointing to Christ’s solitary suffering, linking to Psalm 22:20, which the New Testament applies to Jesus.
- Corporate Lament: A smaller tradition interprets the 'I' as the nation Israel, suffering under foreign enemies who are described as lions.
What is clear: The verse records an urgent plea for deliverance from deadly enemies, with the psalmist expressing both desperation and trust in God.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Interpretation of 'my darling' (yechidathi) | It means 'my only one', a reference to the psalmist’s precious, solitary life. | Some (Clarke, Gill) see a typological reference to Christ’s unique, solitary suffering; others (Barnes, Cambridge) read it as David’s own life, emphasizing human vulnerability. |
| The question 'how long', doubt or faith? | It expresses impatience but stops short of unbelief; the psalmist continues to pray. | Barnes stresses the mystery of God’s delay as an unanswerable problem; Matthew Henry treats it as a valid complaint from a righteous sufferer, not a failure of trust. |
| Identity of the lions | They represent fierce, predatory enemies seeking the psalmist’s destruction. | A minority (primarily older literalists) consider them actual beasts; the vast majority see them as metaphorical for human oppressors (Keil & Delitzsch, Cambridge). |
| Connection to Psalm 22 | Both psalms share the terms 'darling' (yechidathi) and 'lions' (kephirim), linking the cries of the two sufferers. | Whether Psalm 22 is directly messianic (as Christian tradition holds) or typologically applied to Christ’s passion; Psalm 35:17 is sometimes read as prophetic (Clarke, Gill), while others keep it as David’s personal lament. |
Historical & Cultural Context
David composed this psalm during the period of his persecution by Saul and his court (Calvin). The surrounding context (vv.13, 16) reveals that the psalmist had once shown kindness to these enemies, mourning and fasting for them when they were sick. Now they repay him with treachery. This betrayal heightens the cry of verse 17.
The phrase “how long” is a standard lament formula found throughout the Psalms (e.g., Psalms 6:3; 13:1). It does not question God’s existence but expresses the tension between God’s sovereignty and the experience of suffering. The Hebrew verb for “rescue” (hashivah) literally means “bring back,” as though the psalmist’s life has already been carried away toward death and needs to be restored (Cambridge). The term yechidathi (“my darling”) can mean “my only one” or “my solitary one,” reflecting the psalmist’s loneliness and the uniqueness of his life (Gill, Wesley). In a culture where an only child was a parent’s most precious possession, this language conveys deep vulnerability.
The “lions” (kephirim, “young lions”) is a frequent metaphor for powerful, predatory enemies (cf. Psalm 57:4; 22:21). Lions were symbols of royalty and strength in the ancient Near East, and their use here underscores the danger David faced. The question “why does God look on?” echoes other psalms (Psalm 10:14) that affirm God does see the trouble, even when he seems inactive. For the original hearers, this verse gave voice to the mystery of delayed justice, inviting them to bring their honest confusion to God while still trusting his faithfulness.
Textual Notes
Reception History
Preaching This Verse
Three-Point Outline
- The Perceived Delay of God (v.17a). The psalmist acknowledges that God sees his suffering but has not yet acted. This is not a denial of God’s power, but an honest question from a covenant relationship. The same question appears in many laments, giving permission to express the tension between faith and felt abandonment.
- The Desperate Plea for Rescue (v.17b). “Rescue my soul from their destructions” uses the verb hashivah, a plea to bring back what is nearly lost. The psalmist’s life is precious, not because of his own worth, but because it belongs to God. The request is urgent, grounded in the reality that delay means destruction.
- The Trust beneath the Cry (v.17c, implied). Calling his life “my darling” (yechidathi) reveals how deeply the psalmist values the life God gave him. By bringing this plea to God, he shows he still believes God can act. The lament itself is an act of faith.
Five-Point Outline
- The Situation: The psalmist is surrounded by enemies who tear at him like lions (vv. 15, 16).
- The Perceived Inaction: God “looks on” without immediate intervention.
- The Question: “How long?”, a cry that mixes anguish with hope.
- The Specific Plea: Bring back my soul from the ravages; save my precious, solitary life from the young lions.
- The Vowed Response: In verse 18 the psalmist promises public thanksgiving, indicating that the present prayer is not despair but preparation for praise.
Illustration Hooks
- Waiting for a Diagnosis: A person sits in a doctor’s office, waiting for test results. God seems to be “looking on” while they endure the uncertainty.
- Parent Observing a Bully: A parent sees their child being bullied at school. They could step in immediately, but they wait to see if the child will speak up. The child may cry, “Why are you just watching?”
- Injustice in the News: Headlines of corruption and violence make us ask, “How long, Lord, before you act?” This verse gives words to that impulse.
Questions Your Congregation Is Asking
- Why doesn’t God stop my suffering right when I ask Him to?
- Is it disrespectful to question God’s timing or apparent inactivity?
- How can I still trust God when the enemies (sickness, injustice, personal attacks) seem to have the upper hand?
Leading a Discussion
The psalmist’s raw honesty gives permission to bring our hardest questions to God. This verse teaches that lament is not the opposite of faith, sometimes it is faith’s most honest expression. As you discuss Psalm 35:17, notice how the cry “how long?” leads directly to a promise of public praise (v.18). The question does not end in silence; it moves toward hope.
Discussion Questions
- What words or images in verse 17 stand out to you? Why do you think the psalmist chose the metaphor of lions?
- In what situations have you felt like God was “looking on” without intervening? How did you respond?
- The Hebrew word yechidathi means “my only one” or “my solitary life.” What does this language reveal about how the psalmist views his own life and God’s care for it?
- Read Psalm 22:20-21, which uses similar language. How does the connection between these two psalms shape your understanding of Psalm 35:17?
- Is it okay to question God when He seems slow to act? What might be the difference between a complaint of faith and a complaint of unbelief?
- How does knowing that God sees our trouble (Psalm 10:14) change how we wait for His deliverance?
- What are some concrete ways this verse can help you or your group pray honestly about ongoing struggles without giving up on trust?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Psalms 6:3 | My soul is also in great anguish. But you, Yahweh—how long? |
| Psalms 10:14 | But you do see trouble and grief. You consider it to take it into your hand. You help the victim and the fatherless. |
| Psalms 13:1 | For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. How long, Yahweh? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? |
| Psalms 13:2 | How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart every day? How long shall my enemy triumph over me? |
| Psalms 22:20 | Deliver my soul from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dog. |
| Psalms 22:21 | Save me from the lion’s mouth! Yes, you have rescued me from the horns of the wild oxen. |
| Psalms 57:4 | My soul is among lions. I lie among those who are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword. |
| Psalms 69:14 | Deliver me out of the mire, and don’t let me sink. Let me be delivered from those who hate me, and out of the deep waters. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
10 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke notes that the Hebrew word translated "my darling" carries the deeper sense of "my only one" or "my united one," possibly pointing to Christ. He sees this solitary figure as standing alone, unique and set apart.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes focuses on the psalmist's anguished question: why does God calmly witness suffering and evil without intervening, despite having the power to stop it? He notes that no one can fully answer why God allows such things, though God's apparent indifference does not mean He is truly indifferent. Eternity alone will fully explain His timing and purposes.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin emphasizes that David did not view everyone who opposed him as an enemy. He recognized that most people were simply misled by ignorance and the influence of those in power. Only those who knowingly and maliciously sided with Saul to gain his favor did David consider true enemies, and against them alone he called for God's judgment.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The Cambridge note emphasizes that the psalmist appeals to God on the grounds that his enemies persecute him without cause and repay his kindness with ingratitude. The Hebrew phrase "wilt thou look on" implies a plea for God to stop merely observing and to intervene. The writer also highlights that "my darling" literally means "my only one," pointing to the psalmist's precious and nearly lost life.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
Lord, how long wilt thou beholde this? deliuer my soule from their tumult, euen my desolate soule from the lions.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill observes that the psalmist never doubts God sees the injustice but grows impatient that God only watches and does not intervene. He notes that "my darling" means the solitary, desolate soul, one forsaken by both God and people, surrounded by savage enemies.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
darling —(Compare Psa 22:20 ; Psa 22:21 ).
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil-Delitzsch notes that the Hebrew word "kammah" here means "how long," not "how many," and the suffix in "their destructions" points to the enemies as the source, not the victims. If God continues to look on, David's soul will be utterly destroyed, so the prayer asks God to bring back what is nearly lost. "Kephirim" (lions) is used symbolically.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry notes that David’s description of his enemies as those who hated him without a cause points directly to Christ. This same phrase is quoted in the New Testament and fulfilled in Jesus, who was also opposed and persecuted despite giving no provocation.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley reads "Look on" as a desperate cry for pity and help, not mere attention. He notes that "darling" actually means "my only one," referring to the soul left completely alone by human friends with no one left to trust but God.