Bible Study on Tehilliym (Psalm) 55 Kernodle Senior Center Burlington NC

Tuesday July 22nd, 2025

Tehilliym (Psalms) 55

A prayer of confidence in the face of distress and treachery.

Introduction:

Tehilliym 55 is a psalm that is believed to be written by king Da’vid during the rebellion of his son Avshalom, focusing on feelings of betrayal and deep distress. It expresses Da’vid’s anguish over the treachery of a close companion and his desire to escape the turmoil surrounding him. The psalm highlights the pain of betrayal and the emotional toll it takes on believers, while also showcasing Da’vid’s faith in Elohiym’s justice and deliverance. The psalm also has mashiach overtones that point to Yahusha Ha’Mashaich’s suffering over the betrayal of Yahudah (Judas).

Tehilliym 55 (KJV-YS):
Verses 1-5: A Humble Plea to Elohiym

Insights: Da’vid begins the psalm by coming boldly to the throne of grace and mercy and crying to Elohiym to hear hear his prayer and to not hid Himself from his humble plea for salvation.

“1. Give ear to my prayer, O Elohiym; and hide not Thyself from my supplication. 2. Attend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise; 3. Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked: for they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me. 4. My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me. 5. Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me.”

Cross References:
v-1
Tehilliym (Psalms) 84:8 – “O Yahuah Elohiym Tseva’oth, hear my prayer: give ear, O Elohiym of Ya’aqov. Selah.”
1^st Kepha (Peter) 3:12 – “For the eyes of Yahuah are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Yahuah is against them that do evil.”

v-2
Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 59:11 – “We roar all like bears, and mourn sore like doves: we look for judgment, but there is none; for salvation, but it is far off from us.”
Yochanon (John) 9:31 – “Now we know that Elohiym heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of Elohiym, and doeth His will, him He heareth.”

v-3
Tehilliym (Psalms) 54:3 – “For strangers are risen up against me, and oppressors seek after my soul: they have not set Elohiym before them. Selah.”
Mattithyahu (Matthew) 26:59 – “Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Yahusha, to put Him to death;”

v-4
Tehilliym (Psalms) 6:3 – “My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O Yahuah, how long? ”
Mattithyahu (Matthew) 26:37-38 – “And He took with him Kepha and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Then saith He unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with Me.”

v-5
Tehilliym (Psalms) 61:2-3 – “From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the Rock that is higher than I. For Thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. ”
Luqas (Luke) 22:44 – “And being in an agony He prayed more earnestly: and His sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”

Reflection: The psalmist cries out for Elohiym to save him from the suffering, hatred and iniquity the enemy has cast upon him and he realizes that it is only by Yahuah that we are ultimately sheltered eternally and that salvation is provided through His Son Yahusha Ha’Mashiach, who went through the same suffering and hatred from the enemy and overcame.

Verses 6-11: Flying Away from Trouble

Insights: Da’vid wishes that he could escape from the storm that is going on around him because the enemy only wants to do wickedness in the city.

“6. And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest. 7. Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah. 8. I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest. 9. Destroy, O Adonai (Lord), and divide their tongues: for I have seen violence and strife in the city. 10. Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof: mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it. 11. Wickedness is in the midst thereof: deceit and guile depart not from her streets.”

Cross References:
v-6
Tehilliym (Psalms) 11:1 – “In Yahuah put I my trust: how say Ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to Your mountain? For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart.”
Marqus (Mark) 1:10 – “And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Ruach like a dove descending upon Him:”
Chazon (Revelation) 12:14 – “And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.”

v-7
Yirmeyahu (Jeremiah) 9:2 – “ Oh that I had in the wilderness a lodging place of wayfaring men; that I might leave My people, and go from them! for they be all adulterers, an assembly of treacherous men.”
Marqus (Mark) 1:12 – “And immediately the Ruach driveth Him into the wilderness.”

v-8
Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 17:1-2 – “The nations shall rush like the rushing of many waters: but Elohiym shall rebuke them, and they shall flee far off, and shall be chased as the chaff of the mountains before the wind, and like a rolling thing before the whirlwind.”
Mattithyahu (Matthew) 7:25 – “And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.”

v-9
Bere’shiyth (Genesis) 11:7-8 – “Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech. So Yahuah scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city.”
Mattithyahu (Matthew) 23:37-38 – “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!”

v-10
Tehilliym (Psalms) 59:14-15 – “ And at evening let them return; and let them make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city. Let them wander up and down for meat, and grudge if they be not satisfied.”
Yochanon (John) 18:28 – “Then led they Yahusha from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the Pesach:”
v-11
Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 59:7 – “Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths.”
Ma’asiym (Acts) 7:51-52 – “Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Ruach Ha’Qodesh: as your fathers did, so do ye. Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them את which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:”

Reflection: The portrayal of being like a bird represents the psalmist’s longing to leave the turmoil going on around him and be in the presence of Elohiym through His Ruach Ha’Qodesh where the true fellowship, protection and salvation of Yahuah reside. The enemy is always looking for a way to defeat the followers of Yahuah but because of the the Ruach Ha’Qodesh we have victory through Yahusha Ha’Mashiach who already overcame and defeated the enemy.

Verses 12-14: The Betrayal of a Close Friend

Insights: Da’vid tells of how he was betrayed, not by an enemy, but by a person who was supposed to have been his brother in the faith of Yahuah.

“12. For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him: 13. But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. 14. We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of Elohiym in company.”

Cross References:
v-12
Tehilliym (Psalms) 41:9 – “Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.”
Yochanon (John) 13:18 – “I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me.”

v-13
Tehilliym (Psalms) 54:3 – “For strangers are risen up against me, and oppressors seek after my soul: they have not set Elohiym before them. Selah.”
Mattithyahu (Matthew) 26:59 – “Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Yahusha, to put Him to death;”

v-14
Tehilliym (Psalms) 42:4 – “When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of Elohiym, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept feast day.”
Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 2:3 – “And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of Yahuah, to the house of the Elohai of Ya’aqov; and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the Torah, and the Word of Yahuah from Jerusalem.”

Reflection: The worst betrayals in life come from those who are the closest to us and Da’vid tells of this betrayal happening to him, from his own son. This is a foreshadowing of the betrayal by Yahudah (Judas) of Yahusha Ha’Mashiach when he betrayed Him for thirty pieces of silver.

Verse 15: Cry for Justice

Insights: Da’vid cries for justice.

“15. Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.”

Cross References:
v-15
Tehilliym (Psalms) 59:12-13 – “For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips let them even be taken in their pride: and for cursing and lying which they speak. Consume them in wrath, consume them, that they may not be: and let them know that Elohiym ruleth in Ya’aqov unto the ends of the earth. Selah.”
Mattithyahu (Matthew) 26:24 – “The Son of A’dam as it is written of Him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of A’dam is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.”

Reflection: The psalmist’s cries to Elohiym for the punishment of those who have wronged him.

Verses 16-21: The Peace of the Saved

Insights: Da’vid speaks of his faith in Yahuah’s salvation compared to the evil person’s trust in their lies and deceit.

“16. As for me, I will call upon Elohiym; and Yahuah shall save me.17. Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and He shall hear my voice.18. He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.19. Elohiym shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not Elohiym.20. He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant.21. The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.”

Cross References:
v-16
Tehilliym (Psalms) 73:28 – “But it is good for me to draw near to Elohiym: I have put my trust in Adonai Yahuah, that I may declare all Thy works.”
Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 59:1-2 – “Behold, Yahuah’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither His ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your Elohiym, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear.”

v-17
Tehilliym (Psalms) 88:13 – “But unto thee have I cried, O Yahuah; and in the morning shall my prayer prevent Thee.”
Eph’siym (Ephesians) 6:18 – “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Ruach, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all qodeshiym (saints);”

v-18
Tehilliym (Psalms) 27:1 – “Yahuah is my light and my yeshuah (salvation); whom shall I fear? Yahuah is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
Mattithyahu (Matthew) 26:53 – “Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He shall presently give Me more than twelve legions of angels? ”
1^st Yochanon (John) 4:4 – “Ye are of Elohiym, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.”

v-19
Devariym (Deuteronomy) 33:27 – “The eternal Elohai is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and He shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.”
Qolasiym (Colossians) 1:17 – “And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist.”

v-20
Tehilliym (Psalms) 7:4 – “If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; (yea, I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy:)”

v-21
Tehilliym (Psalms) 12:2 – “They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.”
Luqas (Luke) 20:21-22 – “And they watched Him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of His words, that so they might deliver Him unto the power and authority of the governor. And they asked Him, saying, Adonai, we know that Thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest Thou the person of any, but teachest the way of Elohiym truly: ”

Reflection: The wicked put their trust in their lying and crafty words that they use to deceive and entrap the true followers of Yahuah. The righteous will always have peace in the end because of their trust in the truth of Yahuah.

Verses 22-23: Yahuah the Burden Bearer

Insights: Da’vid closes the psalm telling the righteous to cast their burdens upon Yahuah but the wicked will be brought to destruction.

“22. Cast thy burden upon Yahuah, and He shall sustain thee: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. 23. But Thou, O Elohiym, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in Thee.”

Cross References:
v-22
Tehilliym (Psalms) 62:6-7 – “ He only is my Rock and my yeshuah (salvation): He is my defence; I shall not be moved. In Elohiym is my yeshuah and my glory: the Rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in Elohiym.”
Mattithyahu (Matthew) 6:25 – “Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?”
Mattithyahu (Matthew) 11:28-30 – “Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”

v-23
Tehilliym (Psalms) 7:15-16 – “He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made. His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate.”
Mattithyahu (Matthew) 27:4-5 – “Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.”

Reflection: The psalm concludes with the call to the righteous to cast their burdens upon Yahuah to find peace, rest and have a solid foundation in contrast to the wicked that will only find bloody destruction with a short life.

Conclusion:

Psalm 55 is a lament psalm where Da’vid expresses deep distress and betrayal by a close friend, alongside fears of enemies and the dangers of the city. He cries out to Elohiym for help, expresses a desire to escape, and calls for divine judgment upon his enemies. Ultimately, the psalm concludes with a message of trusting in Elohiym for deliverance and sustaining grace.