Scripture Daily

Context No. 3598 of 4322 · Psalms

Context · Reflection

Psalms 55:17-23: in context

17Evening, morning, and at noon, I will cry out in distress. He will hear my voice. 18He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me, although there are many who oppose me. 19God, who is enthroned forever, will hear and answer them. Selah. They never change and don’t fear God. 20He raises his hands against his friends. He has violated his covenant. 21His mouth was smooth as butter, but his heart was war. His words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords. 22Cast your burden on the LORD and he will sustain you. He will never allow the righteous to be moved. 23But you, God, will bring them down into the pit of destruction. Bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days, but I will trust in you.

The psalmist, under attack and betrayed by a close friend, gives us both a rhythm of prayer and a great promise. He cries out to God evening and morning and at noon, a discipline of turning to God again and again through the day, and he is confident that God hears his voice.

And the pain of betrayal is sharp: his companion's words were smooth as butter, softer than oil, yet war was in his heart, and his words were drawn swords. A wound from a trusted friend cuts sharply. But into this distress comes one of Scripture's steadying verses: cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved. When we are weighed down by trouble or betrayal, we are invited to roll the whole weight of it onto God, who will carry it and hold us steady on our feet. We were never meant to bear our burdens alone; we cast them on the One who sustains us.

When I am weighed down by trouble or the pain of betrayal, do I cast my burden on the LORD, trusting him to sustain me and hold me steady?

Sources