17 How long, OÂ Lord, will you look on and do nothing? Rescue me from their fierce attacks. Protect my life from these lions! 18 Then I will thank you in front of the great assembly. I will praise you before all the people. 19 Don't let my treacherous enemies rejoice over my defeat. Don't let those who hate me without cause gloat over my sorrow. 20 They don't talk of peace; they plot against innocent people who mind their own business. 21 They shout, "Aha! Aha! With our own eyes we saw him do it!" 22 O Lord, you know all about this. Do not stay silent. Do not abandon me now, OÂ Lord. 23 Wake up! Rise to my defense! Take up my case, my God and my Lord. 24 Declare me not guilty, O Lord my God, for you give justice. Don't let my enemies laugh about me in my troubles. 25 Don't let them say, "Look, we got what we wanted! Now we will eat him alive!" 26 May those who rejoice at my troubles be humiliated and disgraced. May those who triumph over me be covered with shame and dishonor. 27 But give great joy to those who came to my defense. Let them continually say, "Great is the Lord, who delights in blessing his servant with peace!" 28 Then I will proclaim your justice, and I will praise you all day long.
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.