Psalms 55

Psalms 55:1

Psalm 55: Cast Your BurdenAhithophel was one of David’s most trusted advisers who later led a defection to the usurping Absalom. In this Psalm, we sense the extreme anguish of David’s heart over this bitter blow. We can also read here something of the deep tides of emotion which surged through the Savior’s soul in connection with His betrayal by Judas. And the Psalm foreshadows the prayer of the remnant as they suffer under the conspiracy of the coming Antichrist. 55:1, 2a In deep distress the soul does not lack variety or originality in attracting the attention of God. Positively, there is the request to give ear. Negatively, the word is “do not hide Yourself.” There is the appeal for audience, “Attend to me,” and the appeal for action, “and hear me.“55:2b-5 Then follows a heart-rending catalog of personal grief and of desperate need. Restless in complaining and moaning. Distracted by the shouts of the enemy. Oppressed by the wicked. Buried by them under heaps of trouble. Exposed to furious assaults. Heartbroken with anguish. Terrified by impending doom. Afflicted by uncontrollable trembling. Overwhelmed with horror. 55:6-8 His first impulse is to fly away from all his troubles. If he had wings, he would take off for some quiet spot in the wilderness. He would waste no time in escaping from the tempest that was swirling around him. 55:9a But now his terror gives way to burning indignation. He is so revolted by the treachery of the conspirators that he calls on the Lord to destroywithout specifying whether He should destroy the people or their plans. Also he asks God to divide their tongueswhich may be an allusion to David’s prayer at this time that the Lord would turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness (2Sa_15:31). 55:9b-11 As the son of Jesse looks at the city of Jerusalem which he conquered and chose, he sees it filled with violence and strife; day and night these twin evils stalk around it on its walls. The city of peace is now a city of mischief and trouble. Ruin is resident. Oppression and fraud never leave the marketplace, where there ought to be justice and equity. 55:12-15 At the heart of David’s complaint, of course, is his cruel betrayal. The pain would have been more endurable if the culprit had been an avowed enemy. If the taunts and insults had come from an out-and-out adversary, then the psalmist could have kept out of his way. But it was one of his own, a companion, a loved and trusted friend who had knifed him in the back. It was one with whom the psalmist used to have sweet fellowship as they walked together in the courts of the tabernacle. The perfidy of this man and his followers deserves sudden death, a quick trip to Sheol, “for wickedness dwells in their homes and deep in their hearts” (Gelineau). 55:16-21 Yet in all his emotional turmoil, David is assured of help in answer to prayer. The sobs and moans that ascend to God evening and morning and at noon will reach the Savior’s ear. In spite of the numerical superiority of those arrayed against him, David will emerge from the battle with peace as his portion. Yes, God will hear, and afflict them, even He who sits eternally enthroned. This is the condemnation of those with whom there is no change, i.e., repentance, and who do not fear God. This is the condemnation of the traitorthe bosom companion who stretched out his hand to harm his friends and who broke the covenant of friendship and allegiance. His words seemed smoother than butter, . . . yet they were drawn swords. 55:22 The golden peak of Psalm 55 is reached in verse 22: Cast your burden on the LORD, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.The psalmist came to realize that the best course in time of troubles is not to run away from them, but to cast the burden of them on the LORD. May we learn the lovely lesson set forth by Bishop Horne: “He who once bore the burden of our sins and sorrows requests that we should now and ever permit Him to bear the burden of our cares.” 55:23 Men of murder and treachery will die violently and prematurely. Ahithophel did (2Sa_17:14, 2Sa_17:23) and so did Judas (Mat_27:5). But God’s people can depend on Him to save them.