Psalm 55:22 promises: “Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee.”
Surely this great Verse in some ways parallels 1 Peter 5:7 … “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”
And yet in some ways it differs, too.
Let me show you …
The verb “cast” (in Psalm 55:22) translates “shalak,” meaning “to throw, to fling, to hurl.” And it is an imperative, a demand in fact. We are commanded to so “unload” on the Lord! (Here the verbs of 1 Peter 5:7 and our text are identical in meaning, but Peter does not express his as a command!)
But now a more marked difference. While the word “care” in the New Testament Verse means “worries, distractions,” the noun “burden” in Psalm 55:22 means “whatever dispensation is given you.” Essentially this means “anything that comes your way!” In other words … give to God every single “situation” in your life!
And yet again, while we learn from Peter that the Lord “cares” for us, “has tender regard” for us … David in this Psalm emphasizes God’s “sustaining” Power. The Hebrew verb expressed as “sustain” in today’s Verse translates “kul” in Hebrew. Meaning “to feed” 6 times in the Old Testament! And “to nourish” 3 more times! And get this … “to abide with” three times!
Similarities and differences!
But both Promises … definitely assuring and uplifting!
But I am this morning a bit partial to Psalm 55:22. Especially, I guess, because it’s “new” to me, “fresh” may be a better word. “Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee.”
I think it is more comprehensive that Peter’s advice. (Which, as I mentioned earlier, is not a command, not grammatically anyway.)
Whatever comes your way, “toss” it on the Lord! He is Strong enough (omnipotent, all mighty in fact) and will (in your particular situation) “feed, nourish, abide with” you … and even 1 time “comprehend” (surround) you, sustain you in life’s every event!
Wow!
Psalm 55:22, its criteria, does not even have to be a problem … just ANYTHING! Big or little!
In essence … share your life, its every moment, with the Lord!
Now that sounds a lot like the Apostle Paul … “For me to live is Christ!”
One more time … “Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee.”
Praise His Name!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
The noun “burden” is hapax here in the whole Old Testament, only used this one time! “Whatever” God “places” in front of you, “drops” into your life! (Maybe He puts things in our lives … just to nudge us to lean on Him for support!)
Amazing! What the dear Holy Spirit can “build” into a single Verse of inspired Scripture!
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