Matthew Henry Commentary Psalms 55:16-23

"As for me, I will call upon God; And Jehovah will save me. Evening, and morning, and at noonday, will I complain, and moan; And he will hear my voice. He hath redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me; For they were many [that strove] with me. God will hear, and answer them, Even he that abideth of old, Selah [The men] who have no changes, And who fear not God. He hath put forth his hands against such as were at peace with him: He hath profaned his covenant. His mouth was smooth as butter, But his heart was war: His words were softer than oil, Yet were they drawn swords. Cast thy burden upon Jehovah, and he will sustain thee: He will never suffer the righteous to be moved. But thou, O God, wilt bring them down into the pit of destruction: Bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; But I will trust in thee." — Psalms 55:16-23 (ASV)

In every trial let us call upon the Lord, and He will save us. He will hear us and not blame us for coming too often; the more often, the more welcome. David had thought all were against him, but now he sees there were many with him, more than he supposed; and he gives the glory for this to God, for it is He who raises up friends for us and makes them faithful to us. There are more true Christians, and believers have more real friends, than they suppose in their gloomy hours.

His enemies will be reckoned with and brought down; they could not alleviate their fears as David could, by faith in God. Mortal men, however 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 accompanied by the temptations of Satan; there is also the burden of sin and corruption.

The only relief from it is to look to Christ, who bore it. Whatever it is that you desire God to give you, 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 seems good to Him, 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 He will strengthen our spirits by His Spirit, so that they will sustain the trial. He will never permit the righteous to be moved—to be so shaken by any troubles that they quit their duty to God or their comfort in Him.

He will not permit them to be utterly cast down. He, who bore the burden of our sorrows, desires us to leave the burden of our cares to Him to bear, so that, since He knows what is best for us, He may provide accordingly. Why do we not trust Christ to govern the world which He redeemed?