16 As for me, I will call on God.
Yahweh will save me. 17 Evening, morning, and at noon, I will cry out in distress.
He will hear my voice. 18 He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me,
although there are many who oppose me. 19 God, who is enthroned forever,
will hear, and answer them. Selah.
They never change,
who don’t fear God. 20 He raises his hands against his friends.
He has violated his covenant. 21 His mouth was smooth as butter,
but his heart was war.
His words were softer than oil,
yet they were drawn swords. 22 Cast your burden on Yahweh, and he will sustain you.
He will never allow the righteous to be moved. 23 But 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.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 55:16-23
Commentary on Psalm 55:16-23
(Read Psalm 55:16-23)
In every trial let us call upon the Lord, and he will save us. He shall hear us, and not blame us for coming too often; the oftener the more welcome. David had thought all were against him; but now he sees there were many with him, more than he supposed; and the glory of this he gives to God, for it is he that raises us up friends, and makes them faithful to us. There are more true Christians, and believers have more real friends, than in their gloomy hours they suppose. His enemies should be reckoned with, and brought down; they could not ease themselves of their fears, as David could, by faith in God. Mortal men, though ever so high and strong, will easily be crushed by an eternal God. Those who are not reclaimed by the rod of affliction, will certainly be brought down to the pit of destruction. The burden of afflictions is very heavy, especially when attended with the temptations of Satan; there is also the burden of sin and corruption. The only relief under it is, to look to Christ, who bore it. Whatever it is that thou desirest God should give thee, leave it to him to give it in his own way and time. Care is a burden, it makes the heart stoop. We must commit our ways and works to the Lord; let him do as seemeth him good, and let us be satisfied. To cast our burden upon God, is to rest upon his providence and promise. And if we do so, he will carry us in the arms of his power, as a nurse carries a child; and will strengthen our spirits by his Spirit, so that they shall sustain the trial. He will never suffer the righteous to be moved; to be so shaken by any troubles, as to quit their duty to God, or their comfort in him. He will not suffer them to be utterly cast down. He, who bore the burden of our sorrows, desires us to leave to him to bear the burden of our cares, that, as he knows what is best for us, he may provide it accordingly. Why do not we trust Christ to govern the world which he redeemed?