Psalm 55

Psalm 55:7-8, 9-10a, 10b-11a, 23

#342 Weekday Year II Context (Tuesday of the 7th Week in Ordinary Time)

R. (23a) Throw your cares on the Lord, and he will support you.

And I say, “Had I but wings like a dove,
I would fly away and be at rest.
Far away I would flee;
I would lodge in the wilderness.”
R. Throw your cares on the Lord, and he will support you.

“I would wait for him who saves me
from the violent storm and the tempest.”
Engulf them, O Lord; divide their counsels.
R. Throw your cares on the Lord, and he will support you.

In the city I see violence and strife,
day and night they prowl about upon its walls.
R. Throw your cares on the Lord, and he will support you.

Cast your care upon the Lord,
and he will support you;
never will he permit the just man to be disturbed.
R. Throw your cares on the Lord, and he will support you.
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Commentary on Ps 55:7-8, 9-10a, 10b-11a, 23

Taken in total, Psalm 55 is an individual lament. In these strophes, the evil and deceit of the psalmist’s friends has caused a desire to flee society, to rise above the strife (see also James 4:1-10). In the concluding strophe, the psalmist expresses his faith that God will support the just against all attacks.

CCC: Ps 55:23 322
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Psalm 55:5-6, 13, 14-15, 17-18, 23

#971 Votive Mass (Mystery of the Holy Cross, 3.)

R. (23ab) Throw your cares on the Lord, and he will support you.
  or:
R. Alleluia.

My heart quakes within me;
  the terror of death has fallen upon me.
Fear and trembling come upon me,
  and horror overwhelms me.
R. Throw your cares on the Lord, and he will support you.
  or:
R. Alleluia.

If an enemy had reviled me,
  I could have borne it;
If he who hates me had vaunted himself against me,
  I might have hidden from him.
R. Throw your cares on the Lord, and he will support you.
  or:
R. Alleluia.

But you, my other self,
  my companion and my bosom friend!
You, whose comradeship I enjoyed;
  at whose side I walked in procession in the house of God!
R. Throw your cares on the Lord, and he will support you.
  or:
R. Alleluia.

But I will call upon God,
  and the LORD will save me.
In the evening, and at dawn, and at noon,
  I will grieve and moan,
  and he will hear my voice.
R. Throw your cares on the Lord, and he will support you.
  or:
R. Alleluia.

Cast your care upon the LORD,
  and he will support you;
  never will he permit the just man to be disturbed,
R. Throw your cares on the Lord, and he will support you.
  or:
R. Alleluia.
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Commentary on Ps 55:5-6, 13, 14-15, 17-18, 23

Taken in total, Psalm 55 is an individual lament. In these strophes, the singer is terrified that he has offended God himself.  He can bear the attacks of the wicked, but fears the loss of friendship in the Lord.  It  has caused in him a desire to flee society, to rise above the strife (see also James 4:1-10). In the concluding strophes the psalmist expresses his faith, that God will support the just against all attacks.

CCC: Ps 55:23 322
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Fin