Psalms 55:6

Psalms 55:6 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest.
• New International Version (NIV)I said, “Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.
• English Standard Version (ESV)And I say, "Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest;
• New King James Version (NKJV)So I said, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.

Context of Psalms 55:6

4My heart beats violently within me; the horrors of death overcome me. 5Fear and panic overpower me; terror overwhelms me. I say, “I wish I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and settle in a safe place! 7Look, I will escape to a distant place; I will stay in the wilderness. (Selah) 8I will hurry off to a place that is safe from the strong wind and the gale.”

Psalms 55:6 word by word

וָאֹמַ֗ר מִֽי־יִתֶּן־לִּ֣י אֵ֭בֶר כַּיּוֹנָ֗ה אָע֥וּפָה וְאֶשְׁכֹּֽנָה׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• And I saidאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
• Oh thatנָתַןnâthan · to give: if only!H5414
• I had wingsאֵ֫בֶר'êber · wingH83
• like a doveיוֹנָהyônâh · doveH3123
• would I fly awayעוּף‛ûph · to flyH5774
• and be at restשָׁכַןshâkan · to dwellH7931

Cross-references for Psalms 55:6

• Psalms 11:1In the Lord I have taken shelter. How can you say to me, “Flee to a mountain like a bird!
• Psalms 139:9If I were to fly away on the wings of the dawn, and settle down on the other side of the sea,
• Revelation 12:14But the woman was given the two wings of a giant eagle so that she could fly out into the wilderness, to the place God prepared for her, where she is taken care of – away from the presence of the serpent – for a time, times, and half a time.

Commentaries on Psalms 55:6

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 6O that I had wings like a dove! - He was so surrounded, so hemmed in on every side by his adversaries, that he could see no way for his escape unless he had wings, and could take flight. The dove is a bird of very rapid wing; and some oil them passing before his eyes at the time, might have suggested the idea expressed here. And be at rest - Get a habitation.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 6And I said - That is, when I saw these calamities coming upon me, and knew not what the result was to be. Oh, that I had wings like a dove! - literally, “Who will give me wings like a dove?” or, Who will give me the pinion of a dove? The original word - אבר 'êber - means properly, “a wing-feather;” a pinion; the penna major or flagfeather of a bird‘s wing by which he steers his course, - as of an eagle, Isaiah 40:31, or of a dove, as here. It is…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 4-8In the experience of deep anguish, the psalmist confesses that his adversity has become unbearable and he seeks an escape.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 66. be at rest--literally, "dwell," that is, permanently.Read the comment

Topics related to Psalms 55:6

• Afflictions and Adversities

In the dictionaries

• Counsel
• Dove
• Equal
• Escape
• Hasted
• Neginoth
• Psalms
• Fly
• Psalms, Book of
• Maschil

Commentaries on Psalms 55

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• The Treasury of David
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings