Psalms 55:12-23
The person David speaks of in vv. 12-14 was probably Ahithophel the Gilonite, whose treason and suicide are recounted in 2 Samuel 15:1-37; 2 Samuel 16:1-23; 2 Samuel 17:1-29. But in a prophetic way these words apply to the wicked Judas. Is there any stronger expression than that of v. 13 to describe the bonds of affection: "mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance"? Here we have a convincing proof that the greatest displays of confidence and love are incapable of winning the natural human heart, in which there dwells strife against God (v. 21; cf. Mark 14:45). Pause to think what the feelings of the Lord must have been down here. He could depend on nothing here, nor trust Himself to any man (John 2:24). But faced with such a development of evil the psalmist invites us: "Cast thy burden upon the LORD . . ." (v. 22). A burden hampers a man in his walk; that is why Hebrews 12:1-2 tells us also: "lay aside every weight . . . let us run with patience . . . looking unto Jesus". That does not mean to say that the trial will at once be withdrawn. But it will cease to be a burden from the moment we cast it upon God, leaving to Him the loving care of dealing with the thing which may be worrying us.