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

PSALMS 35:17KJV
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Psalms 35:17 (KJV)

What does Psalms 35:17 mean?

Psalms 35:17 is a plea from the psalmist, asking God how long He will allow the psalmist’s suffering to continue and begging for rescue from deadly threats. The writer asks God to save his life—described as his “darling”—from those who seek to destroy him, comparing his enemies to lions.

In this verse, David is speaking directly to God during a time of intense trouble, feeling as if God is watching but not yet acting. The situation is desperate: David’s life is in danger from powerful enemies, and he uses vivid language to express both his fear and his sense of being precious to God. The verse highlights David’s deep trust that God can deliver him, even when rescue seems delayed.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 35:17

  • “Rescue” (שׁוּב, shuv): This word often means “return” or “bring back.” Here, it carries the sense of God restoring or delivering the psalmist’s life from danger, not just removing him from trouble but bringing him back to safety.
  • “Soul” (נֶפֶשׁ, nefesh): This word means “life” or “self,” emphasizing that David is asking for his very life to be saved, not just his physical body.
  • “Darling” (יָחִיד, yachid): This word means “only one” or “precious one.” By calling his life his “darling,” David is stressing how valuable and unique his life is to him—and, by extension, to God.
  • “Lions” (כְּפִיר, kephir): This word refers to young or strong lions, which were symbols of deadly threat in ancient Israel. The comparison underlines the real danger David feels from his enemies.

Why Psalms 35:17 matters

  • This verse shows the raw honesty of biblical prayers, where the faithful can question God’s timing without losing faith in His power to save.
  • The use of “darling” for the soul highlights the deep value of each person’s life in God’s eyes, not just as a body but as a unique, precious being.
  • The verse connects to the larger psalm, where David repeatedly asks for God’s intervention against unjust enemies, showing a pattern of trust and dependence on God even in fear.