Psalm 55:6 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And I say, "Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest;

NIV: I said, "Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.

NASB: I said, 'Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.

CSB: I said, "If only I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and find rest.

NLT: Oh, that I had wings like a dove; then I would fly away and rest!

KJV: And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest.

NKJV: So I said, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.

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.

Psalm 55:1–8 focuses on David's prayer for the Lord's help. David describes his trouble and the intense, negative feelings that overwhelm him. He recognizes the pressing danger of his enemies—later verses point out that a close friend has betrayed him. If he could, David would escape somewhere far away and seek shelter.

David begins this song with a prayer for rescue, likely from his rebelling son, Absalom (2 Samuel 15:1–12). David is pained because of a close ally's betrayal; this would refer to Ahithophel, who sided with the rebels (2 Samuel 15:31). This situation creates intense fear. However, David is confident God will rescue him. He is fully assured that those who attack him will be humbled and judged by the Lord.

This is among the psalms recording David's plea for divine help in a time of persecution (Psalms 3; 6; 35). He was betrayed by a close friend, likely Ahithophel (2 Samuel 15:31). This was probably written in response to the rebellion of Absalom (2 Samuel 15:1–12). Despite his trouble, David was confident God would protect him and punish his enemies.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.