19. Cast Thy Burden Upon the LORD, Psalm 55
Hymns: RHC 324 Trusting Jesus, 326 Like a River Glorious, 334 Sweet Peace, the Gift of God’s Love
Psalm 55:1-23 (KJV)
1 Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication. 2 Attend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise; 3 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. 4 My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me. 5 Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me. 6 And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest. 7 Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah. 8 I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest. 9 Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues: for I have seen violence and strife in the city. 10 Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof: mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it. 11 Wickedness is in the midst thereof: deceit and guile depart not from her streets. 12 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: 13 But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. 14 We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company. 15 Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them. 16 As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me. 17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice. 18 He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.19 God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God. 20 He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant. 21 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. 22 Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. 23 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.
Cast thy burden upon the LORD
(1) A Painful Heart Outpoured (v1-5)
(2) A Desire to Escape It All (v6-8)
(3) A Heart Saddened by Betrayal (v9-15, 20-21)
a. The Intensity of Strife (v9-15)
b. The Cause of Strive – A Broken Covenant (v20-21)
(4) The LORD Shall Hear and Put Things Right (v16-20, 22-23)
a. Calling Incessantly for Deliverance (v16-20)
b. Let the LORD bear the burden and trusting in His sustenance (v 22-23)
INTRODUCTION
It is observed you will find much in your life to try you and show the kind of material of which you are made. There is a difference between steel and wood; the wooden blade is bent and broken, the steel cuts through and does its work.
Standing on the shore of the ocean, you see the wild, disordered billows rolling in. They are driven by the storm. They are hurled upon the beach and, with nothing to oppose them, they fling up the sand, rush into the shallows. Walk along the shore until you come to that solid rock, towering aloft in rugged grandeur, defying the onslaughts of waves and tempests, breasting the charges of the sea and standing as calmly as it does in sunshine.
While I was young, I used to go with my uncle with their family to Pulau Ubin in a chalet there by the sea. We children would go swimming. Not far from share is this piece of solid rock that stood steadfast, defying the onslaughts of the waves and tempests. In the cleft of that rock you can take shelter; and its calm summit you could even build your house. Here is the picture of endurance. The solid rock breaks the waves that come and as a child, I marvel at the strength of the rock.
\Here is an illustration of the granite which belongs to every true character. Here is a reminder of that force and resistance by which troubles are overcome, outward opposition is defeated, and you prove yourself master of the situation. Not that we have strength in ourselves, but our strength comes from our Rock Jesus Christ sustaining and keeping us by His unfailing grace.
The theme of this psalm is on the frailty of human relationships – how that our best friend can fail us but we must not crumble under the weight but plod on with our LORD sustaining us. We have the best friend in our LORD Jesus Christ. How does David defeat the enemy within his heart and the enemy without? He confided that His LORD is His able friend, a confidant. This is the lesson from his personal experience for us. What a friend we have in Jesus!
“A man may betray Jesus Christ by speaking too many words, and he may betray him through keeping his mouth shut.” Oswald Chambers (1874-1917).
“When you betray somebody else, you also betray yourself” Isaac Bashevis Singer (1904-1991).
Have you been betrayed before by a close friend? The feeling is most unbearable cries the psalmist to his God (verse 2). It is very sad and most heart breaking. At the moment of betrayal, he felt very lonely and devastated. This psalm provides solace for one whose heart is left in the cold. The LORD shall sustain thee, says the psalmist from his experience (verse 22).
(b) A Painful Heart Outpoured (v1-5)
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. (verses 1-2)
David poured out his heart to his God as he wrestled to find help from God who seemed to be hidden from him in the moment of his distress. He asked God to pay attention (attend) to His supplication for God’s favour.
Why was David in such distress?
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. (verse 3)
His enemy oppressed him and tempting him to sin against God. He now states the cause of his troubles. He had been, and was, unjustly treated by others. He was suffering from slanderous reproaches, from assaults which had been made on his character. This is the cry of the righteous or repentant to God for relief. He is in pain because of his enemies (Psalm 25:16-19).
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. (verses 4-5)
The pain that is in his heart was so great, it seemed to have been pierced through with a sword. He felt that death seemed near, his life threatened. Fearfulness, trembling and horror compassed his ailing heart, in severe anguish. Trembling is a physical manifestation of fear. His fear came because of the threat of death and calamity upon him.
(2) A Desire to Escape It All (v6-8)
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.
David had hoped that there is a way of escape out of this temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13). He sought to fly away like a dove. The dove is used as a symbol of escape and safety. It is an observation from nature that David is using to illustrate his dire predicament for a way out. David escaped to a stronghold in the wilderness during his flight from Saul (1 Samuel 23:14, 26:2-3) – which he makes the subject here. “Windy storm and tempest” refers to very strong wind and destructive storm. It is interesting to observe that before an earthquake occurs, the animal kingdom seem to be able to sense the coming calamity and began to flee coming the disaster.
(3) A Heart Saddened by Betrayal (v 9-15, 20-21)
Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues: 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. (Verses 9-11)
The biblical image of strife calls to mind an intense conflict in interpersonal relationships. Here it manifests itself in violence. The psalmist found himself unable to raise his head amidst his equal. He was betrayed by his trusted companion and adviser.
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. (Verses 12-15)
Could David be speaking of Ahitophel?
AHITHOPHEL was David’s private counselor who came from Giloh in the highlands of Judah near Hebron. He participated in the rebellion against David and became Absalom’s counselor only to end his life in suicide when he wisely foresaw what would become of Absalom and himself when the rebel king failed to follow his advice in favor of the eloquent doubts cast upon such plans by David’s infiltrator of the rebel court named Hushai (2 Samuel 17:14, 23; 1 Chronicles 27:33, 34).
The reputation that Ahithophel had for wisdom was “as if a man had inquired at the oracle of God” (2 Samuel 16:23). David seriously prayed to God that he might “defeat the counsel of Ahithophel” (2 Samuel 15:34).
The advice he gave to Absalom was to publicly violate David’s harem, which advice he followed (2 Samuel 15:21, 22). This assured him the royal succession, but it also unwittingly brought upon David’s head the prophesied consequences of his sin with Bathsheba spoken by Nathan the prophet (2 Samuel 12:11, 12). He also advised that the new king immediately pursue David with a surprise attack of men before David had time to consolidate and gather support; this advice Hushai was able to defeat, and thus ended the brilliant career of this man (2 Samuel 17:1, 6, 7, 14, 15, 21, 23). [The Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible: Volume 1, A-C. Pradis CD-ROM:Articles/A/Ahithophel. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, © 1975, 1976]
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. (v21-22)
He begins by addressing the leader and head of the wicked conspiracy. He accuses him of waging war in the midst of peace, and being thus guilty of a breach of faith. He had neither suffered provocation, nor had he announced in an open manner his intention to give battle, but had commenced the attack unexpectedly and with treachery. The same charge is insisted upon still further, when it is added, that butter and oil were in his lips, while war was in his heart, and his words themselves were darts. To appearance they were soft and agreeable, but they covered a hidden virulence and cruelty which wounded like a sword or like darts, according to the common proverb, that deceivers carry on their lips poison besmeared with honey. It is well known how many fair promises and flatteries Saul addressed to David with a view to entrap him, and we may conjecture that the same arts were practiced by his courtiers. It is one special trial of the Lord’s people, that they are exposed to such attempts on the part of crafty men to seduce them into destruction. Here the Holy Spirit puts a mark of reprobation upon all subtilty of this kind, and particularly upon treacherous flatteries, exhorting us to cultivate simplicity of intention. (Calvin)
(4) The LORD Shall Hear and Put Things Right (v 16-20, 22-23)
(a) Calling Incessantly For Deliverance (v 16-20)
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 abideth 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. (Verses 16-20)
When afflicted in human relationships, how do we resolve them?
David called upon the LORD morning, noon and evening. When we pray, God gives to us peace in the heart. Men who fear not God do what pleases themselves. May it not be said of us – fighting against those are at peace with us.
(b) Let the LORD Bear the Burden and Trusting in His sustenance (v 22-23)
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. (Verses 22-23)
The word “cast” is in the imperative and in the causative – to throw, cast, hurl, fling. Cause the weight of your burden be given to the LORD to help us carry it.
He shall sustain thee, He will help you to endure to go through this trial that has come our way.
For believers today, is there any escape from the misery and trials of life? Yes, come to Jesus!
John 14:1-4 Jesus has said, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.”
Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus also said, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
While it is the human lot to experience grief, suffering, pain and anguish in this mortal life, our Lord Jesus promised an eternal ark of escape for all who put their trust in Him at His coming – Revelation 21:4 “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”
When Jesus comes again, He is Judge of all judge, King of all kings. Most compassionate is the Lord in the care of His blood-bought children. Revelation 21:1-3 “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.”
Jesus sets up His 1000 years of peaceful rule on earth. Isaiah 2:4 “And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” (cf. Micah 4:3)
CONCLUSION
- A Painful Heart Outpoured (v1-5)
- A Desire to Escape It All (v6-8)
- A Heart Saddened by Betrayal (v9-15, 20-21)
- The Intensity of Strife (v9-15)
- The Cause of Strive – A Broken Covenant (v20-21)
- The LORD Shall Hear and Put Things Right (v16-20, 22-23)
- Calling Incessantly for Deliverance (v16-20)
- Let the LORD bear the burden and trusting in His sustenance (v 22-23)
How Can I Fear With Jesus
When shadows fall and the night covers all
There are things that my eyes cannot see
I cannot fear for the Saviour is near
My Lord abides with me
(Chorus)
How can I fear Jesus is near
He ever watches over me
Worries all ease He give me peace
How can I fear with Jesus
When I’m alone and I face the unknown
And I fear what the future may be
I can depend on the strength of my friend
He walks along with me
Repeat Chorus