How long, O Lord, will You look on? Rescue my soul from their ravages, my precious life from these lions. How long, O Lord, will You look on?David pleads for God to end the apparent delay while violent enemies pursue him. Similar cries in Psalm 13:1 and Psalm 89:46 show that faithful prayer may honestly bring prolonged suffering before the Lord. God’s silence does not mean indifference; His appointed judgment and deliverance will display His righteousness. Psa 13:1 For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. How long, O LORD?… Rescue my soul from their ravages, David asks God to preserve his whole life from enemies bent on destruction. The Lord who heard Israel’s groaning in Egypt and came down to deliver them remains attentive to the cries of His people. Human power cannot finally secure the righteous; deliverance belongs to God. Psa 7:1-2 A Shiggaion of David, which he sang to the LORD… my precious life from these lions. David portrays his adversaries as lions ready to tear apart their prey. The image conveys their strength, cruelty, and relentless intent, recalling the danger from which God preserved Daniel. The Lord is able to guard the life entrusted to Him, even when His servants are surrounded by forces beyond their strength. Psa 22:21 Save me from the mouth of the lion; at the horns… Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe author of the psalm, who is crying out to God for deliverance from his enemies. David often faced persecution and betrayal, which is reflected in his plea for divine intervention. 2. The Lord The recipient of David's plea. David addresses God directly, seeking His attention and intervention in his time of distress. 3. Enemies (Lions) Symbolic of the fierce and relentless adversaries David faces. The imagery of lions conveys the danger and aggression of those who seek to harm him. 4. Soul Represents David's innermost being and life, which he seeks to protect from destruction. 5. Rescue/Deliverance The event David is longing for, a divine act of salvation from his perilous situation. Teaching Points Trust in God's TimingDavid's question, "How long, O Lord?" reflects a common human struggle with waiting on God's timing. Believers are encouraged to trust that God's timing is perfect, even when it seems delayed. God as Protector The imagery of God rescuing David from "lions" emphasizes His role as a protector. Christians can find comfort in knowing that God is a refuge and strength in times of trouble. Prayer in Distress David's earnest plea serves as a model for believers to bring their deepest fears and concerns to God in prayer, trusting in His ability to save. Spiritual Warfare The adversaries described as "lions" can also represent spiritual battles. Believers are reminded to put on the full armor of God to stand firm against spiritual attacks. Value of Life David refers to his life as "precious," highlighting the intrinsic value of life. Christians are called to respect and protect life, recognizing it as a gift from God. Bible Study Questions 1. How does David's plea in Psalm 35:17 reflect his relationship with God, and what can we learn from his approach to prayer?2. In what ways can we relate to David's question, "How long, O Lord?" in our own lives, and how can we cultivate patience in waiting for God's intervention? 3. How does the imagery of "lions" in this verse help us understand the nature of the challenges we face, both physically and spiritually? 4. What other biblical examples of deliverance can we draw upon to strengthen our faith in God's ability to rescue us from difficult situations? 5. How can we apply the concept of valuing life as "precious" in our daily interactions and decisions, particularly in a world that often devalues life? Connections to Other Scriptures Psalm 22David similarly cries out to God, expressing feelings of abandonment and pleading for rescue, which foreshadows Christ's suffering. 1 Samuel 24 David spares Saul's life, demonstrating his reliance on God's timing for deliverance rather than taking matters into his own hands. Daniel 6 Daniel is delivered from the lions' den, illustrating God's power to save His faithful servants from seemingly insurmountable dangers. 2 Timothy 4:17 Paul speaks of being rescued from the lion's mouth, drawing a parallel to divine deliverance from perilous situations.
People David, PsalmistPlaces JerusalemTopics Behold, Darling, Desolations, Destruction, Destructions, Lions, O, Precious, Ravages, Rescue, Soul, WiltDictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 35:17 4666 lion Library Specific References to Prophecy in the Gospels20. But, if it does not weary you, let the point out as briefly as possible, specific references to prophecy in the Gospels, that those who are being instructed in the first elements of the faith may have these testimonies written on their hearts, lest any doubt concerning the things which they believe should at any time take them by surprise. We are told in the Gospel that Judas, one of Christ's friends and associates at table, betrayed Him. Let the show you how this is foretold in the Psalms: "He … Various—Life and Works of Rufinus with Jerome's Apology Against Rufinus. Historical Summary and Chronological Tables. The Sixth Commandment The Ninth Commandment Question of the Comparison Between the Active and the Contemplative Life After the Scripture. Opposition to Messiah Unreasonable Notes on the Third Century Concerning Persecution Psalms Links Psalm 35:17 NIVPsalm 35:17 NLT Psalm 35:17 ESV Psalm 35:17 NASB Psalm 35:17 KJV Psalm 35:17 Commentaries Bible Hub |
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