Betrayal by a Friend
Psalm 55

For the music director, on stringed instruments, a contemplative song of David.

Give ear, O Elohim, to my prayer
and do not ignore my plea for help.

Listen to me and answer me.
I am restless in my complaint and moan—

because of the voice of the enemy,
because of the pressure of the wicked.
For they thrust trouble on me,
and in anger bear a grudge against me.

My heart shudders within me
and the terrors of death sweep over me.

Fear and trembling come upon me
and horror has overwhelmed me.

So I said, “Oh that I had wings like a dove!
I would fly away and find rest.

Surely I would flee far away.
I would stay in the wilderness. Selah

I would hurry to my shelter
from the rushing wind of the storm.”

Yahuah, confuse and confound their speech,
for I see violence and strife in the city.

Day and night they make the rounds on her walls.
Iniquity and mischief are within her.

Ruins are in her midst.
Oppression and deceit never leave her square.

For if it were an enemy taunting me,
I could endure it.
If my foe was exalting himself over me,
I could hide from him.

But it is you, a man like me—
my companion and my close friend!

Together we enjoyed great fellowship.
We used to walk with the throng in the House of Elohim.

Let desolation come upon them,
let them go down alive into Sheol—
for evil is in their dwelling, among them.

As for me, I will call on Elohim,
and Yahuah will save me.

Evening, morning and noon, I complain and moan,
then He hears my voice.

He will redeem my soul in shalom from the battle against me.
For many are striving with me.

Elohim will hear and humble them
—yes, the One enthroned of old. Selah
Nothing changes—they do not fear Elohim.

My companion put forth his hands against those at peace with him,
as he violates his covenant.

Smoother than butter was his speech,
yet war was in his heart.
His words were softer than oil,
yet they were drawn swords.

Cast your burden on Yahuah, and He will sustain you.
He will never let the righteous be shaken.

But You, O Elohim, will bring them down to the Pit of destruction.
Bloodthirsty, deceitful men will not live out half their days.
But I—I will trust in You.

Torah – 📖 Parashah Nitzarim – Deuteronomy 29:9 – 30:20

The parashah of Nitzarim opens with a powerful and solemn scene: “You are standing today, all of you, before Yahuah your Elohim.” On the plains of Moab, just before Israel is to cross into the Promised Land, Moses gathers the people and reminds them that everyone is present—leaders, elders, officers, children, wives, strangers in the camp, woodcutters, and water carriers. No one is excluded from the covenant. It is not only for prophets and priests, not only for kings and warriors, but for every soul who belongs to Israel and even those who have joined themselves to Yahuah. This moment reminds us that the kingdom of Yahuah is not built on status or human greatness. Each person, regardless of role or background, is equally called to covenant relationship.

Moses emphasizes that this covenant is not only with those physically standing there but also with those not present. That means future generations are included, and through the words of Torah, we are as well. In reading this passage, we too are drawn into that moment—we too are “standing today” before Yahuah, hearing His covenant renewed and being asked to choose our place in His plan. This truth is humbling and comforting. We are never too insignificant to be noticed by Yahuah, and never too distant to be invited. He calls us into His covenant not just as individuals but as part of a people, bound together by His Word.

After reminding Israel of their place in the covenant, Moses warns them about the dangers of turning aside to idolatry. They had seen the abominations of Egypt and the nations they passed through—nations that served idols of wood, stone, silver, and gold. Israel was not to be drawn into such false worship. Moses describes a person who might hear the covenant and say in their heart, “I shall have peace, even though I walk in the stubbornness of my heart.” Such a person assumes they can cling to Yahuah’s blessings while walking in rebellion. Moses makes it clear that this kind of attitude is dangerous, for it treats Yahuah’s covenant lightly. To presume upon His mercy while despising His commands is to court destruction. The land itself would testify against them, just as the land of Sodom and Gomorrah had become barren and desolate.

Yet Moses balances this warning with a word of humility and hope: “The secret things belong to Yahuah our Elohim, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this Torah.” We may not know every mystery of Yahuah’s plan, but we know enough. He has revealed His Torah, and our task is not to demand every answer but to walk faithfully in the light He has given. This is a timeless reminder. In every age, people are tempted to live with divided hearts, trying to hold onto Yahuah while also clinging to idols. But His call is to wholehearted devotion, to love Him without compromise.

Even so, the heart of Nitzarim is not only warning but also mercy. Moses proclaims that when Israel finds themselves scattered among the nations because of disobedience, they will always have a path back. “When you return to Yahuah your Elohim and obey His voice… then Yahuah your Elohim will restore your fortunes and have mercy on you, and He will gather you again from all the peoples where He has scattered you.” Exile is never the end of the story. Yahuah’s desire is restoration. If the people turn their hearts to Him, He will meet them with compassion.

Even more, Moses promises that Yahuah Himself will circumcise their hearts and the hearts of their children, so that they will love Yahuah with all their heart and soul, that they may live. This points to something deeper than outward obedience. It is the promise of inner transformation, a change of heart that only Yahuah can bring. It anticipates the fullness of His covenant when His Torah would be written on hearts, not just stone tablets. For us, this is a word of hope. No matter how far we have wandered, Yahuah longs to gather us back. He does not delight in punishment but in mercy. When we turn to Him, He meets us with forgiveness and renewal.

Moses then gives one of the most encouraging passages in all of Torah: “This commandment that I command you today is not too hard for you, neither is it far off. It is not in heaven… neither is it beyond the sea… but the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it.” This truth shatters the lie that obedience is impossible. Yahuah’s Word is not hidden away in unreachable places. It is near, accessible, and alive within us. He does not ask the impossible—He equips His people for what He commands. For us today, this is deeply reassuring. We do not need to search the heavens for answers or cross the seas to find truth. His Word is already spoken, already written, already near. Our calling is simply to live it, to let it shape our hearts, words, and choices each day.

The parashah reaches its climax with Moses’ urgent call to decision. He sets before the people two paths: life and good, or death and evil. To love Yahuah, to walk in His ways, to keep His commands—this is life and blessing. To turn away, to serve other mighty ones, to rebel—this is death and curse. Moses calls heaven and earth as witnesses and pleads with Israel: “I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving Yahuah your Elohim, obeying His voice, and holding fast to Him, for He is your life and length of days.”

This is the heartbeat of the covenant. Yahuah does not force His people; He invites them into life. He gives freedom to choose, but He also pleads with them to choose rightly. To love Him, to obey Him, to cling to Him—that is the path of true life. Notice the depth of Moses’ words: “He is your life.” Life is not merely a reward for obedience—it is found in Yahuah Himself. To walk with Him is to live; to turn away is to die, no matter what outward appearances might suggest.

For us, this call remains the same. Each day brings choices between life and death, blessing and curse. The world offers many false paths promising fulfillment, but only Yahuah is truly life. To choose life is not only to avoid sin but to actively cling to Yahuah, to let His ways guide us, to love Him with all that we are. This is not a distant choice but a daily one, woven into how we speak, act, and think.

Parashah Nitzarim is therefore both solemn and hopeful. It warns us that covenant is serious, that rebellion has consequences, and that Yahuah calls His people to undivided devotion. But it also shines with mercy: even in exile, there is a way back. Even after failure, there is restoration. Yahuah’s desire is not destruction but life. This portion invites us to see ourselves standing before Yahuah as Israel once did, called into covenant relationship and urged to choose life. It reminds us that His Word is near, that His mercy is great, and that He Himself is our life. As we hear the echo of Moses’ voice, may we too respond with faith: we will choose life, that we and our children may live.