Read Psalm 35 here (text coming …) or at Bible Gateway.
The Hebrew paragraph:
35:1-28 {p} Enemies may seek my destruction, but YHVH is my salvation
Psalm 35:1-28 Chiastic Structure (and Psa 35:1-28 Expanded Chiasm pdf):
Lord, how long will You look on? {n} Rescue my soul from their destructions, my only one from the lions. Psa 35:17
To rescue in Hebrew is Strong’s H7725, שוב shuv, a primitive verb primarily meaning, “to return.” The ancient pictographs are shin + vav + bet.
shin ש = two front teeth, thus sharp, press, eat, two, again
vav ו = the tent peg, thus add, secure, hook
bet ב = the house, thus house, household, family, in, within
The parable being told by the Hebrew Root Word is to again (shin) secure oneself (vav) to the house (bet). The house we have left, to which He restores us, is His house, because history began with Father God, a beautiful garden, and the two children He had made to dwell with Him forever, to be a part of His household.
Now what does this verb have to do with rescuing from destruction?
“To return” can be understood as God returning David back to safety or a state of well-being from a place of danger, thus rescuing him from destruction. It’s not only about moving him away from harm, although it is that, but also then restoring him to a place of security or safety.
When David prays, “Rescue my soul from their destructions,” he is essentially asking for YHVH to restore his life from the brink of ruin caused by his enemies.
So the Hebrew of verse 17 is literally saying, “Rescue me from their destructions, and return me back to a secure place in You, Father. Then restore my life from whatever ruin the enemy has caused.” And He will!
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