Psalm 35 (34):17Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

For us, the passage of time feels prolonged; and it is often asked, "When will You take note?" In other words, when shall we witness justice against those who wrong us? When will the Judge, weary from the burden of it all, hear the plea of the widow? Luke 18:3 Yet our Judge, moved not by fatigue but by love, postpones our deliverance; it is a choice made through wisdom rather than necessity. He could assist us at any moment, but it is to allow for the fullness of His chosen ones to be fulfilled until the very end. Nevertheless, reflecting our longing, we cry out, "Lord, when will You notice? Rescue my soul from their deceit, my Beloved from the fierce adversaries," meaning, save my Church from the tumultuous forces.

Liberate my spirit from their malice. Everything He endures or expresses is for our redemption, as He came down and took on flesh for our sake, namely Christ. From the lions, my one and only Son. The term 'lions' may refer to the malevolent and opposing forces that nearly roared against Christ, or possibly the Jewish authorities themselves. Thus, He recalls them, echoing the words of the prophet: 'My possession is as a lion in an oak-tree... For this reason I have hated it' (Jeremiah 12:8). He refers to His soul as the only begotten, opting for 'only begotten' in place of 'beloved'; for the unique Son always inspires a deeper love.

Lord, when will You take notice? The prophet expressed this not as a grievance but as an earnest plea for assistance, asking when You will manifest Yourself and protect those who are wronged. Strengthen my spirit against their evildoings. Enable my soul to triumph over all their schemes. Rescue my only-begotten from the fierce predators. As previously stated, "Their teeth gnashed against me"; since such gnashing is characteristic of lions, he aptly referred to them as lions, revealing the cruelty and brutality of their hearts. The phrase "my only-begotten" is rendered by Symmachus as "my solitude," signifying a soul devoid of all human support.

Lord, when will Your gaze fall upon us? He questions, after enduring such hardships for a considerable time, You seem as though You have not noticed. So, when will You intervene and bring justice to these matters? Deliver my soul from their malice. He expresses that after being rescued from the evils of his foes, he seeks the peace he once experienced. This plea is also articulated by the Lord to the Father, requesting the return of His soul to His physical form, signifying a resurrection. The reference to lions pertains to the adversaries he faces. Earlier, when David mentioned that his enemies were bearing down on him, he likens them to lions, associating their fierce gnashed teeth with their harshness and accusations.

Inner Reflection Can you consider this in light of the sufferings of our Lord? The series of events surrounding His Passion unfolded so that we could be made receptive. The closer you draw to God, the greater the number of adversaries that might rally against you, and the afflictions will persist. They tempt you, mock you with scorn, and gnash their teeth at you. You ought to cry out, “Lord! When will You take notice? Deliver my soul from their evil deeds, from the jaws of the wicked one.” Our soul is unique, both in essence and love.

After discussing the persecutors more broadly and in detail, he once again shifts his focus to prayer, linking the conclusion with the introduction. There are times when it may appear as though God is oblivious to earthly actions, especially when the wicked go unpunished; this is why he inquires, "Lord, when will You see?" However, this is not an accusation against God, but rather a plea for assistance, as if he were saying, "Lord, show me that You are aware of everything and that You will address the wrongdoing! Rescue my soul from their malevolence." In other words, he is asking to be delivered from the peril he faces at the hands of the wicked, securing his life once more or restoring what he has nearly lost while in their grasp.

The Lord Jesus speaks to God the Father, instructing, “Prepare my soul, so that I may conquer hell, and I will rise from the sepulcher after three days in my fresh body.” The Jewish leaders were fierce as lions in their fury. The unique flesh of Christ, received from the one and only Immaculate Mother, reveals the profound mystery of the Holy Church. Here, it is understood that this only-begotten flesh, stemming from the baptism of the Holy One, signifies the divine bath of purity.