# Rescue my soul

Here "soul" stands for the whole person. Alternate translation: "Rescue me" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-synecdoche]])

# the sword

The sword is a common way of referring to a violent enemy. Alternate translation: "those who want to kill me" or "my enemies" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy]])

# my only life

"my precious life" or "the only life I have"

# claws of wild dogs

The writer speaks about his enemies as if they were dogs to emphasize how dangerous his enemies are. Also, the claws stand for the animals as a whole in a synecdoche. The writer emphasizes this part of the animal because it is what the animals would use to kill someone. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-synecdoche]])

# wild dogs

The word "wild" here means that no one has captured and tamed the animal.