And I say, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest; yes, I would wander far away; I would lodge in the wilderness; Selah I would hurry to find a shelter from the raging wind and tempest.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
David isn't just wishing for a quick getaway; he desires a place of stable, permanent dwelling, free from the storms of his treacherous enemies. The imagery of the dove highlights his longing for swift escape and a secure, undisturbed haven.
And I say, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest; yes, I would wander far away; I would lodge in the wilderness; Selah I would hurry to find a shelter from the raging wind and tempest.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The psalmist is overwhelmed by intense inner turmoil, describing his heart as trembling and filled with dread as if facing death. He feels surrounded by enemies and betrayal, leading him to a desperate longing for escape. This verse expresses his deep desire to flee from the immediate danger and find a place of peace and safety, away from the turmoil and treachery.
Feeling trapped by overwhelming circumstances? David's cry for wings like a dove reveals a deep yearning for immediate relief, not just a change of scenery.
David’s longing for wings like a dove isn't just about speed; it’s about the nature of that flight. Doves are known for their swift, almost desperate escape when threatened.
A Creature of Safety
Doves often nest in high, inaccessible places, like cliffs and wilderness areas, far from danger and human society. This is the kind of refuge David craves – a place of true safety and peace away from the betrayals and threats surrounding him.
More Than Just Moving
This isn't simply a wish to travel; it’s a desperate plea to escape an intolerable situation. The image of the dove’s rapid flight highlights the urgency David feels, knowing his very life is at stake.
When life feels like a whirlwind, we long for rest. But David’s desire for rest is rooted in profound inner turmoil and fear.
David’s wish to fly away isn't born from mild inconvenience; it stems from deep inner anguish and the terror of death.
Inner Storms
He describes his heart trembling and being overwhelmed by the terrors of death. This internal struggle makes any external escape seem like the only solution. He isn't just fleeing enemies, but the crushing weight of fear itself.
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The Ultimate Refuge
While David seeks earthly rest, the commentators point to a deeper reality. True, lasting rest isn't found by simply changing locations. It's ultimately found in a place where troubles cannot reach – a heavenly rest that transcends earthly circumstances.
Understand the original words
yônâ · Hebrew Noun
A metaphor for escaping or retreating from intense personal distress or persecution to find peace and tranquility. In Scripture, birds are sometimes symbols of deliverance, and the dove specifically is associated with purity and mourning.
nûaḥ · Hebrew Verb
A state of tranquility, cessation from labor, or relief from trouble. Theologically, it points to the ultimate peace found in God’s presence or the Sabbath rest provided by Him.
midbār · Hebrew Noun
An uncultivated, desolate region. Biblically, it is often a place of testing, refuge, and intimate encounter with God, standing in contrast to the corruption of the city.
selâ · Hebrew Noun
A musical or liturgical instruction, likely meaning a pause to reflect, contemplate, or intensify the previous thought in prayer.
mistôr · Hebrew Noun
A place of safety, refuge, or covering from danger. It signifies God as the ultimate protector of the righteous against the storms of life.
sa‘ar / se‘ārâ · Hebrew Noun
Metaphorical language for violent oppression, intense conflict, or divine judgment that threatens the stability of the righteous.
This psalm, likely written during David's flight from his son Absalom's rebellion, paints a vivid picture of desperate longing for escape. The imagery of the dove, a creature known for its swift flight and vulnerability, captures the psalmist's intense desire to flee his treacherous enemies and find a place of safety and peace away from the turmoil.
c. 1040 BC
David becomes King of Israel
David is anointed king, marking the beginning of a unified Israelite monarchy. This period is characterized by military campaigns and internal consolidation.
c. 1035 BC
Absalom's Rebellion Begins
David's son Absalom begins a calculated rebellion, gaining popular support and sowing deep division within the kingdom.
c. 1030 BC— this verse
David Flees Jerusalem
Facing overwhelming opposition and the threat of civil war, David abandons Jerusalem, a moment of immense personal and political crisis.
c. 1030 BC
Absalom Enters Jerusalem
Absalom seizes the capital city and is acclaimed king, fulfilling David's worst fears and deepening his despair.
c. 1030 BC
David Regains the Throne
After a period of exile and conflict, David's forces defeat Absalom's rebellion, and he is restored to his kingship.
This passage uses the imagery of the dove seeking refuge in rocky crevices to describe how the people of Moab should flee from judgment, mirroring the Psalmist's desire for a safe, secluded place.
Matthew 10:16Jesus advises His disciples to be 'wise as serpents and innocent as doves' when facing persecution, highlighting the dove's characteristic innocence and vulnerability, which the Psalmist felt keenly.
2 Samuel 15:14This verse describes David fleeing Jerusalem in haste due to Absalom's rebellion, a historical event where David's own life mirrored the Psalmist's desperate wish to escape danger and find rest.
Revelation 18:4God calls His people out of Babylon before its judgment, saying, 'Come out of her, my people!', which echoes the desire for escape and a safe haven from a destructive environment.
gillPsalms 55:6: "And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest."
And I said, oh that I had wings like a dove,.... The psalmist pitches upon this creature, partly to suggest that his enemies pursuing him were like the ravenous hawk, and he like the harmless, innocent, and trembling dove; and partly because of its swiftness in flying. Aben Ezra thinks the dove is mentioned, because it is sociable with men, and who send letters by them for quick dispatch, of w…
poolePsalms 55:6: "And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest."
No text from Poole on this verse.
David isn't just wishing for a quick getaway; he desires a place of stable, permanent dwelling, free from the storms of his treacherous enemies. The imagery of the dove highlights his longing for swift escape and a secure, undisturbed haven.
The psalmist is overwhelmed by intense inner turmoil, describing his heart as trembling and filled with dread as if facing death. He feels surrounded by enemies and betrayal, leading him to a desperate longing for escape. This verse expresses his deep desire to flee from the immediate danger and find a place of peace and safety, away from the turmoil and treachery.
The psalmist is overwhelmed by intense inner turmoil, describing his heart as trembling and filled with dread as if facing death. He feels surrounded by enemies and betrayal, leading him to a desperate longing for escape. This verse expresses his deep desire to flee from the immediate danger and find a place of peace and safety, away from the turmoil and treachery.
"And I say, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest; yes, I would wander far away; I would lodge in the wilderness; Selah I would hurry to find a shelter from the raging wind and tempest.”" — David isn't just wishing for a quick getaway; he desires a place of stable, permanent dwelling, free from the storms of his treacherous enemies. The imagery of the dove highlights his longing for swi…
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Last reviewed October 2026