What does Psalm 55:6 mean?
During times of crisis, we often wish we could disappear from danger. In a life-threatening moment (Psalm 55:3–5), David wished he could grow wings and fly away from his enemies. Though David was committed to the Lord (Psalm 23:4), he was not immune from fear. In this case, he seems to have faced both dire threats (2 Samuel 15:14) and the betrayal of a close ally (2 Samuel 15:31; Psalm 55:12–13). Later in this psalm, he expresses confidence in God (Psalm 55:16). For now, however, he is desperate to escape. He seeks not just to escape danger, but the "rest" of being far from all trouble (Psalm 55:7).The natural tendency of many fearful persons is to run from trouble: to get as far from it as possible. That impulse can even affect those with strong trust in the Lord. While defeating the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, Elijah exhibited fearless faith (1 Kings 18). However, when wicked Queen Jezebel pledged to kill him, Elijah's faith was replaced with panic. He did exactly what David wished he could do—flee into the wilderness. There, Elijah complained to the Lord, and even prayed for his life to end. After resting and eating two meals prepared by the angel of the Lord, he went to Horeb, where he lodged in a cave, and was subsequently restored by the Lord (1 Kings 19). God certainly understands our weaknesses (Hebrews 4:15–16), yet the best response to fear is not running from trouble, it is running to the Lord in faith.
