Which New Testament passages echo the themes found in Psalm 35:17? Psalm 35:17—Verse in Focus “How long, O LORD, will You look on? Rescue my soul from their ravages, my precious life from the lions.” Key Ideas in the Psalm - A heartfelt “How long?”—lament over delayed justice - An urgent plea for rescue - Imagery of violent attackers pictured as lions New Testament Echoes of These Themes • Revelation 6:10—The martyrs’ cry mirrors David’s lament “And they cried out in a loud voice, ‘How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge those who live on the earth and avenge our blood?’” • Luke 18:7-8—Jesus assures justice for those who keep crying out “Will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry out to Him day and night? Will He continue to defer their help? I tell you, He will promptly carry out justice on their behalf.” • 2 Timothy 4:17-18—Paul experiences the very rescue David sought “The Lord stood by me and gave me strength … and I was delivered from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and will bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom.” • Hebrews 11:33-34—Faith that “shut the mouths of lions” Heroes of faith trusted God for deliverance, just as David did. • 1 Peter 5:8-10—The roaring adversary and God’s promised rescue “Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion … And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace … will restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” Threads That Tie the Texts Together - The cry “How long?” ─ God hears and answers in His perfect timing (Psalm 35:17; Revelation 6:10; Luke 18:7-8). - Deliverance from deadly threat ─ physical or spiritual (Psalm 35:17; 2 Timothy 4:17-18; Hebrews 11:33-34). - Lion imagery ─ literal danger and the spiritual enemy (Psalm 35:17; 1 Peter 5:8-10). Take-Away Truths - God’s people have always wrestled with apparent delays in divine justice, yet Scripture repeatedly assures us that rescue is coming. - Whether facing human hostility or the prowling devil, the Lord stands ready to deliver those who call on Him. |
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