17 Lord, how long will you be looking on? take my soul from their destruction, my life from the lions. 18 I will give you praise in the great meeting; I will give you honour among a strong people. 19 Do not let my haters be glad over me falsely; let not those who are against me without cause make sport of me. 20 For they do not say words of peace; in their deceit they are designing evil things against the quiet ones in the land. 21 Their mouths were open wide against me, and they said, Aha, aha, our eyes have seen it. 22 You have seen this, O Lord; be not unmoved: O Lord, be not far from me. 23 Be awake, O Lord, be moved to take up my cause, my God and my Lord. 24 Be my judge, O Lord my God, in your righteousness; do not let them be glad over me. 25 Let them not say in their hearts, So we will have it: let them not say, We have put an end to him. 26 Let all those who take pleasure in my troubles be shamed and come to nothing: let those who are lifted up against me be covered with shame and have no honour. 27 Let those who are on my side give cries of joy; let them ever say, The Lord be praised, for he has pleasure in the peace of his servant. 28 And my tongue will be talking of your righteousness and of your praise all the day.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 35:17-28
Commentary on Psalm 35:17-28
(Read Psalm 35:17-28)
Though the people of God are, and study to be, quiet, yet it has been common for their enemies to devise deceitful matters against them. David prays, My soul is in danger, Lord, rescue it; it belongs to thee the Father of spirits, therefore claim thine own; it is thine, save it! Lord, be not far from me, as if I were a stranger. He who exalted the once suffering Redeemer, will appear for all his people: the roaring lion shall not destroy their souls, any more than he could that of Christ, their Surety. They trust their souls in his hands, they are one with him by faith, are precious in his sight, and shall be rescued from destruction, that they may give thanks in heaven.