Psalm 55: Cast Thy Burden Upon the Lord
A lament over betrayal by a friend that ends in trust and daily prayer.
Psalm 55 opens with David's anguish and his longing for 'wings like a dove' to flee the city's violence and strife, a fear deeper than the brief attack described in Psalms 54. The pain sharpens when he names the source: not an enemy, but 'a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance.'
Unto the end, for a people that is removed at a distance from the sanctuary: for David, for an inscription of a title (or pillar) when the Philistines held him in Geth.
Have mercy on me, O God, for man hath trodden me under foot; all the day long he hath afflicted me fighting against me.
My enemies have trodden on me all the day long; for they are many that make war against me.
From the height of the day I shall fear: but I will trust in thee.
In God I will praise my words, in God I have put my trust: I will not fear what flesh can do against me.
All the day long they detested my words: all their thoughts were against me unto evil.
They will dwell and hide themselves: they will watch my heel. As they have waited for my soul,
For nothing shalt thou save them: in thy anger thou shalt break the people in pieces. O God,
I have declared to thee my life: thou hast set me tears in thy sight, As also in thy promise.
Then shall my enemies be turned back. In what day soever I shall call upon thee, behold I know thou art my God.
In God will I praise the word, in the Lord will I praise his speech. In God have I hoped, I will not fear what man can do to me.
In me, O God, are vows to thee, which I will pay, praises to thee:
Because thou hast delivered my soul from death, my feet from falling: that I may please in the sight of God, in the light of the living.