Cast Thy Burden Upon The Lord, And He Shall Sustain Thee; He Shall Never Suffer The Righteous To Be Moved - Part 2443

"As for me, I will call upon God; and the Lord shall save me; evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and He shall hear my voice. He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me. God shall hear, and afflict them, even He that abides of old. Selah.

Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God. He hath put forth His hands against such as be at peace with Him: he hath broken His covenant. The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords. Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee. He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved ..." (Psalm 55:1-23)

Too often, we hear about David in his victories -- when he was triumphant over the enemies that encompassed him. For example, we know of David's confidence when he faced Goliath, the giant that he took down with one pebble from his slingshot. These testimonies are edifying and instructive, and give us an example of how we who believe can also face our enemies. 

But David also teaches us (through the Psalms) how to yearn with all our heart, soul, mind and strength for the Lord, how to pray for mercy during times of triumph, and that in meditating on the law of the Lord day and night, we become like a tree planted by the rivers of water, bringing forth fruit in season. Indeed, David writes, that when we walk not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the seat of the scornful but instead walk in the ways of the Lord -- that in so doing, that believer doeth shall prosper. 

Note that this does not refer to the modern day prosperity gospel that many self-proclaiming evangelists and prophets present today but rather, a heart understanding that the King of kings and Lord of lords only wants what is best for His people. 

When we look at Psalms 55, we see how David works through the struggles he faces in the day to day. Herein, David is teaching us to pray against the oppression of the wicked; those who would cast iniquity and wrath against him. But as we also learn from this particular psalm, it is not just the enemies from afar that David laments about -- but a close friend, a peer, an equal who has betrayed him.

In many ways, the example David is giving here can be likened to Jesus (when He walked this earth) and was betrayed by one of the twelve disciples, by a man named Judas Iscariot. 

"For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it, neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him; but it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together and walked unto the house of God in company." (Psalms 55:13-15) 

It is no wonder that David's heart (as he describes) is sore painted within him. What is the resolve for David in this situation? And the many others David alludes to within this psalm?

First, David begins by asking the Lord God to hear his prayer, and not to hide from David's supplication -- from the horror that is currently overwhelming him. Then, as David turns it around, we find ourselves reading one of the more popular scriptures today. That is, David's encouragement for us to "cast thy [our] burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved!" (Psalm 55:22)

This is our promise for this day, and forever more.  That when we cast our burdens and cares unto the Lord, He is faithful and just to attend to the matters that are causing grief. How?

By "casting all your care upon Him" ... for He cares for you! (I Peter 5:7; Psalm 37:5) 

As an aside, the word Selah is Hebrew. It appears (at least on the surface) that the word has no particular meaning or definition, beyond being the accepted stop at the end of a sentence. Some  believe Selah is related to music, given that most of the psalms where Selah appears has been written to a chief musician. 

Most important, is that we who believe can understand that in God is our salvation, that He is the Rock of our strength, and our refuge. "Trust in Him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah. (Psalms 62:7-8) 

Stand in the offering plate.

From Psalms 55:

"Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication. Attend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise; because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked: for they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me.

My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me. Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me. And I said, "Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest. Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah. I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest."

Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongue for I have seen violence and strife in the city. Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof: mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it. Wickedness is in the midst thereof: deceit and guile depart not from her streets. For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him: but it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company. Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.

"As for me, I will call upon God; and the Lord shall save me. Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud, and He shall hear my voice. He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abides of old. Selah.

Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God. He hath put forth His hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant. The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.

Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee:

He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in Thee." (Psalm 55:1-23)