David wrote this Psalm when he was in great pain due to the betrayal of his very close friend. The verse is a call to all believers to rely absolutely on God no matter the situation that stares us in our faces.
The world we live in is full of worries and anxieties that are too numerous for us to withstand. These worries stroll in day by day, hours by hours, even second per second that we hardly live without one.
Ephesians 5 verse 16 says,
“Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”
We need someone to keep us fit and that person is God. God is a burden lifter. There is nothing too much or too hard for him to handle.
In 1 Peter 5 verse 7, Peter also confirmed it,
“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”
No matter what the cause of your anxieties is, shed off the weight by releasing all unto Jesus. He will sustain you, and eventually, take you out of that ugly and unwanted situation.
Who wrote Psalm 55:22 and when was it written?
Psalm 55:22 was believed to be written by David. It was written around 700 B.C to 800 B.C.
What is the context of Psalm 55?
The context of Psalm 55 talks about believing God for a deceitful enemy.
The title of this Psalm is To the Chief Musician. With stringed instruments. A Contemplation of David.
This chapter was written when he had been betrayed by a friend he relied on. According to him, this is someone he enjoyed a sweet fellowship with.
David began the chapter by praying to seek God’s favour. He seeks God’s attention in prayers by first describing his problems.
“Give ear to my prayer, O God, and do not hide Yourself from my supplication. Attend to me, and hear me; I am restless in my complaint, and moan noisily, because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked; For they bring down trouble upon me, And in wrath they hate me.” (Verses 1 to 3)
His heart is severely pained, and the terrors of death have fallen upon him.
We noticed the fear in the statements of David to the extent that he felt God neglected him. He wondered why such a thing would happen to him, especially from a bosom friend. It dawn so much on him that he felt it was all over and he should run away.
“Fearfulness and trembling have come upon me, and horror has overwhelmed me. So I said, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. Indeed, I would wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest.” (Verses 5 to 8)
David’s pain of betrayal was revealed from his prayer demand. He asked God to destroy and divide his enemies. His major distress is where the reproach came from. He expects a friend to be a friend always, not knowing that a friend can turn out to be an enemy at any point in time.
“For it is not an enemy who reproaches me; then I could bear it. Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me; Then I could hide from him. But it was you, a man my equal, my companion and my acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together, and walked to the house of God in the throng.” (Verses 12 to 14)
He also expressed his concern about the violence and strife going on in the city of Israel. He mentioned people causing trouble going around the walls day and night, destroying, oppressing, and deceiving people all around the city.
David ask for God’s instant vengeance upon them and called for God’s help. He asks God to kill them. This shows how David was greatly wounded. He asked God to take care of his enemies while he continues to demonstrate his trust and confidence in God.
“As for me, I will call upon God, and the Lord shall save me. Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, and He shall hear my voice. He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me, for there were many against me. God will hear, and afflict them, Even He who abides from of old. Because they do not change, therefore they do not fear God. He has put forth his hands against those who were at peace with him; The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, But war was in his heart; His words were softer than oil, Yet they were drawn swords.” (Verses 16 to 21)
He concluded the chapter by emphasizing his absolute reliance on God and what God can do.
What is the message of Psalm 55:22?
The message of Psalm 55:22 reminds us about the ability of God to liberate us from our problems.
Looking at the troubles and problems of this present world, believers live in fear that they easily forget who they are. Those challenges do not have a timetable. They come in unannounced. We are in a fallen world where children of God now look for perfect peace in their own way.
They look for an answer of peace in the wrong place which they refer to as a safe place. Sometimes some devoted Christians even run to unbelievers for safe haven, all in the name of finding solutions to their issues.
I know why this happens. The majority of Christians today look only at the problems but not at God.
David said in Psalm 34 verse 5,
“They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.”
God is bigger than all our problems put together. In the midst of the storm, he gives strength and courage to bear and in the end much comfort. All you need to do is to call unto him. God will not force himself on us.
Submit yourself totally unto him. Let your eyes be straight. Focus on what the word says concerning that problem.
Psalm 121 verses 1 and 3 says,
“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.”
My God in his infinite wisdom and continuance of mercies will pull you out of that bottomless pit. He will take everything off you and set you free.
“Cast your burden on the Lord;” meaning
“Cast your burden on the Lord;” means to present your worries to God.
Your burdens are the troubles that you face in this world. The word burden is a very heavy load that makes you feel weary or tired. God cares for us to take those weights and put them upon himself.
Lift your heavy burden off your shoulders and release them to God. Let your faith be strong in him and his words.
Jesus said in Mathew 11 verses 28 to 30 says,
“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. ”
Then we must go to God and lift our cares from our shoulders and cast them onto the shoulder of who is infinitely able to carry them.
“And He shall sustain you” meaning
“And He shall sustain you” means God will support you.
God is available to support his children in all situations and circumstances. You will not get drowned by the sea. His hands are long enough to save you. It may look like you are sinking deeper and deeper each time.
But when we give them to God he will sustain us. To sustain means to keep alive. God will do anything to keep his children alive. He will carry us and also carry our loads of problems.
The support we enjoy from God includes and is not limited to physical, financial spiritual, emotional, and lots more.
“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4 verse 19)
When Moses handed over to Joshua, he assured him of God’s infinite sustenance, the same that he enjoyed when he was leading the people of Israel.
“And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the Lord hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it. And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.”
(Deuteronomy 31 verses 7 to 8)
Put your trust in God, he will fight for you and you shall hold your peace.
“He shall never permit the righteous to be moved” meaning
“He shall never permit the righteous to be moved” means God will not allow his children to be hurt.
Who are the righteous? These are those who fear God and do his will. God loves the righteous and cares for them as well. He does not withhold anything good from them.
Psalm 84 verse 11,
“For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.”
Isaiah said in chapter 3 verses 10 and 11,
“Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings. Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him.”
When we are hurt God is hurt. He sees us when we face trials and troubles. He will never neglect us. Those challenges are just there but they will never overcome us. Present your heavy load to God, you will not be defeated. God, shall bring them down to the pit of destruction.
What is the difference in biblical translations Psalm 55:22 (NKJV, KJV, NIV & ESV)?
Psalm 55:22 NKJV biblical translation “Cast your burden on the Lord,
And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved”
Psalm 55:22 KJV biblical translation “Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.”
Psalm 55:22 NIV biblical translation “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.”
Psalm 55:22 ESV biblical translation “Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.”
There is no significant difference between NKJV and KJV translations. The 2 translations are written almost the same way.
Permit, in NKJV is replaced by, Suffer, in KJV. The two words mean to tolerate.
In the same way, there is no significant difference between NIV and ESV translations. The 2 translations are written almost the same way.
Cares, in NIV is replaced by, Burden, in ESV. The two words mean concerns.
The four translations have the same meaning.
How do I apply Psalm 55:22 to my life?
Applying Psalm 55:22 to my life is to trust God in all my situations.
The best way to apply this verse to our lives is to believe in the word of God. There are solutions to every issue of life in the word of God. The holy bible says you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.
How do you the truth if you don’t study? Spend quality time in the word of God. It is the word of God that builds our faith.
That rod of affliction and every issue of long continuance in your christian race or spiritual life are temporal concerns. If you continue with the exercise of faith, God, our righteous judge will show up in due time.
When your faith is strong and alive, nothing can molest you.
What is Psalm 55:22 prayer?
Heavenly Father, I thank you for your promises to take over all my battles without my involvement. Give me the strength and courage to move on. May I continue to trust you without wavering in Jesus’s name I pray. AMEN
Conclusion
A lot of writers relate this Psalm of David to Absalom’s rebellion in 2 Samuel 15-18,
“And all his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men which came after him from Gath, passed on before the king.”
The trusted friend is Ahithophel. One cannot conclude as parts of this chapter can be related to this story while some parts cannot.
Whatever the case may be, one thing is sure. David was seriously pained. It can happen to you and me too.
“Trust your friends as much as you can, not any further” (Akinwale Samson).
We are not saying there is no good man. There are good people and there are good men but let there be a limit on your level of trust with people so you don’t get caught by surprise by deceitful men or wicked men as in the case of David.
Your burden of afflictions may arise from your best friend, lean on the covenant of grace, and the sufficiency of strength from God. He will cause none of their plans to come to pass.
David said, cast your cares upon the Lord, don’t struggle with it. He is a problem lifter.
