In 1783, Rowland Hill (the pastor, not the Sir Rowland Hill who campaigned for the reform of the postal system in England) published his Collection of Psalms and Hymns, Chiefly Intended for Public Worship which contains our Tuesday Hymn of the Week: Cast Your Burden on the Lord. No author is noted in the Hymn book, but some think it may have been written by Hill himself. It is based on Psalm 55 and is a reminder to God’s people to trust in God and His Word while living out their lives in this fallen world. He is the One who is Sovereign; He is the One who sustains; He is the One who is gracious; and He is the One who will always stand guard over His flock.
The hymn is sung to the tune, MERCY (I love that tune name), in The Trinity Hymnal and has been used by God to encourage many of His children as they walk through the Valley of Baca (Weeping), awaiting the final day when the Lord will “wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there shall no longer be any death; there shall no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” (Rev.21:4-5)
Cast your burden on the Lord,
Only lean upon His Word;
You will soon have cause to bless
His eternal faithfulness.
He sustains you by His hand,
He enables you to stand;
Those whom Jesus once had loved
From His grace are never moved.
Human counsels come to naught;
That shall stand which God has wrought;
His compassion, love, and pow’r,
Are the same forevermore.
Heav’n and earth may pass away,
God’s free grace shall not decay;
He has promised to fulfill
All the pleasure of His will.
Jesus, Guardian of your flock,
Be yourself our constant Rock;
Make us, by your pow’rful hand,
Strong as Zion’s mountain stand.
The Rankin File 