1) Emotional Expressions in Psalm 55

Invite counselees to identify and circle what resonates.

• Restlessness & moaning — “I am restless in my complaint and I moan.” (vv.1–2, 17)
• Distraught/overwhelmed — “I am distraught… horror overwhelms me.” (vv.2, 5)
• Anguish of heart — “My heart is in anguish within me.” (v.4)
• Terrors of death — “The terrors of death have fallen upon me.” (v.4)
• Fear & trembling — “Fear and trembling come upon me.” (v.5)
• Horror/dread — “Horror overwhelms me.” (v.5)
• Longing to escape — “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away.” (vv.6–8)
• Weariness/exhaustion (implied) — wandering, seeking shelter (vv.7–8)
• Indignation at injustice — violence, strife, deceit (vv.9–11)
• Shock of betrayal — by a companion/friend (vv.12–14)
• Grief over broken fellowship — lost “sweet counsel” (v.14)
• Desire for judgment — (v.15; cf. v.23)
• Persistence in distress — moaning “evening… morning… noon” (v.17)
• Hurt at deceit — smooth words, war in the heart (vv.20–21)

2) Expressions of Faith in Psalm 55

• Prayerful dependence — “Give ear to my prayer… attend to me.” (vv.1–2)
• Expectant petition — “Destroy, O Lord, divide their tongues.” (v.9)
• Steadfast calling — “But I call to God.” (v.16)
• Confidence in salvation — “The Lord will save me.” (v.16)
• Persevering prayer — “Evening and morning and at noon… he hears my voice.” (v.17)
• Assured deliverance — “He redeems my soul in safety.” (v.18)
• Trust in God’s rule — “He who is enthroned from of old.” (v.19)
• Casting cares — “Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you.” (v.22)
• Confidence in preservation — “He will never permit the righteous to be moved.” (v.22)
• Personal resolve — “But I will trust in you.” (v.23)
• Confidence in justice — “You, O God, will cast them down.” (v.23)

3) Pain & Suffering Situations Mirrored Today

Prompt: Which situation mirrors your story? Write a 1–2 sentence prayer inviting God into that specific pain.

4) Guiding Emotions into Faith (Session Outline)

1. Normalize & name feelings (vv.1–8)
   Read aloud. Ask: “Which words match what you feel—restless, afraid, overwhelmed, wanting to run?”
2. Map emotions to prayer (vv.1–2, 16–17)
   Turn one circled phrase into a 1–2 sentence prayer.
3. Invite God into the pain source (vv.9–14, 20–21)
   Identify betrayal/unsafe setting/manipulation; lament it before God.
4. Ask boldly for God to act (vv.9, 15, 23)
   Write one concrete petition for justice/protection/help.
5. Rehearse who God is/does (vv.18–19, 22)
   Pair each emotion with a promise: Fear → “He will sustain” (v.22).
6. Practice the “Cast & Commit” habit (v.22)
   “Lord, I cast [burden] on You… sustain me now.”
7. Close with trust (v.23)
   Write a 10–12 word trust sentence: “But I will trust in You.”

EXERCISES

Sample Mini-Dialogue