TRV
Translation
In the KJVVerse 14,741 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on Psalms 55 verses 1–8
1 ¶ To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, A Psalm of David. Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.
2 Attend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise;
3 Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked: for they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me.
4 My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me.
5 Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me.
6 And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest.
7 Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah.
8 I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest.
In these verses we have,
I. David praying. Prayer is a salve for every sore and a relief to the spirit under every burden: Give ear to my prayer, O God! Psa 55:1, Psa 55:2. He does not set down the petitions he offered up to God in his distress, but begs that God would hear the prayers which, at every period, his heart lifted up to God, and grant an answer of peace to them: Attend to me, hear me. Saul would not hear his petitions; his other enemies regarded not his pleas; but, "Lord, be thou pleased to hearken to me. Hide not thyself from my supplication, either as one unconcerned and not regarding it, nor seeming to take any notice of it, or as one displeased, angry at me, and therefore at my prayer." If we, in our prayers, sincerely lay open ourselves, our case, our hearts, to God, we have reason to hope that he will not hide himself, his favours, his comforts, from us.
II. David weeping; for in this he was a type of Christ that he was a man of sorrows and often in tears (Psa 55:2): "I mourn in my complaint" (or in my meditation, my melancholy musings), "and I make a noise; I cannot forbear such sighs and groans, and other expressions of grief, as discover it to those about me." Great griefs are sometimes noisy and clamorous, and thus are, in some measure, lessened, while those increase that are stifled, and have no vent given them. But what was the matter? Psa 55:3. It is because of the voice of the enemy, the menaces and insults of Absalom's party, that swelled, and hectored, and stirred up the people to cry out against David, and shout him out of his palace and capital city, as afterwards the chief priests stirred up the mob to cry out against the Son of David, Away with him - Crucify him. Yet it was not the voice of the enemy only that fetched tears from David's eyes, but their oppression, and the hardship he was thereby reduced to: They cast iniquity upon me. They could not justly charge David with any mal-administration in his government, could not prove any act of oppression or injustice upon him, but they loaded him with calumnies. Though they found no iniquity in him relating to his trust as a king, yet they cast all manner of iniquity upon him, and represented him to the people as a tyrant fit to be expelled. Innocency itself is no security against violent and lying tongues. They hated him themselves, nay, in wrath they hated him; there was in their enmity both the heat and violence of anger, or sudden passion, and the implacableness of hatred and rooted malice; and therefore they studied to make him odious, that others also might hate him. This made him mourn, and the more because he could remember the time when he was the darling of the people, and answered to his name, David - a beloved one.
III. David trembling, and in great consternation. We may well suppose him to be so upon the breaking out of Absalom's conspiracy and the general defection of the people, even those that he had little reason to suspect. 1. See what fear seized him. David was a man of great boldness, and in some very eminent instances had signalized his courage, and yet, when the danger was surprising and imminent, his heart failed him. Let not the stout man therefore glory in his courage any more than the strong man in his strength. Now David's heart is sorely pained within him; the terrors of death have fallen upon him, Psa 55:4. Fearfulness of mind and trembling of body came upon him, and horror covered and overwhelmed him, Psa 55:5. When without are fightings no marvel that within are fears; and, if it was upon the occasion of Absalom's rebellion, we may suppose that the remembrance of his sin in the matter of Uriah, which God was now reckoning with him for, added as much more to the fright. Sometimes David's faith made him, in a manner, fearless, and he could boldly say, when surrounded with enemies, I will not be afraid what man can do unto me. But at other times his fears prevail and tyrannise; for the best men are not always alike strong in faith. 2. See how desirous he was, in this fright, to retire into a desert, any where to be far enough from hearing the voice of the enemy and seeing their oppressions. He said (Psa 55:6), said it to God in prayer, said it to himself in meditation, said it to his friends in complaint, O that I had wings like a dove! Much as he had been sometimes in love with Jerusalem, now that it had become a rebellious city he longed to get clear of it, and, like the prophet, wished he had in the wilderness a lodging place of way-faring men, that he might leave his people and go from them; for they were an assembly of treacherous men, Jer 9:2. This agrees very well with David's resolution upon the breaking out of that plot, Arise, let us flee, and make speed to depart, Sa2 15:14. Observe, (1.) How he would make his escape. He was so surrounded with enemies that he saw not how he could escape but upon the wing, and therefore he wishes, O that I had wings! not like a hawk that flies swiftly; he wishes for wings, not to fly upon the prey, but to fly from the birds of prey, for such his enemies were. The wings of a dove were most agreeable to him who was of a dove-like spirit, and therefore the wings of an eagle would not become him. The dove flies low, and takes shelter as soon as she can, and thus would David fly. (2.) What he would make his escape from - from the wind, storm, and tempest, the tumult and ferment that the city was now in, and the danger to which he was exposed. Herein he was like a dove, that cannot endure noise. (3.) What he aimed at in making this escape, not victory but rest: "I would fly away and be at rest, Psa 55:6. I would fly any where, if it were to a barren frightful wilderness, ever so far off, so I might be quiet," Psa 55:7. Note, Peace and quietness in silence and solitude are what the wisest and best of men have most earnestly coveted, and the more when they have been vexed and wearied with the noise and clamour of those about them. Gracious souls wish to retire from the hurry and bustle of this world, that they may sweetly enjoy God and themselves; and, if there be any true peace on this side heaven, it is they that enjoy it in those retirements. This makes death desirable to a child of God, that it is a final escape from all the storms and tempests of this world to perfect and everlasting rest.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–8. Public domain.
Copy as
Ambrose of MilanAD 397
FLIGHT FROM THE WORLD 5:30
As for the person who wishes to be lifted up by the hand of Christ, let him first fly away himself, let him have his own wings, for one who flees from the world has wings. And if he does not have wings of his own—and perhaps only the individual who is able to fly has them—if then he does not have his own, let him get them from the one who has them. Thus a person who flees from the world does fly. “Behold, I have gone far off flying away, and I remained in the wilderness.” Thus, David flew away like the night raven in the dwelling, like the lone sparrow in the house. Now if you apply this to Christ, he flew away in the passion of his body, so that he could protect the peoples of the nations under the shadow of his wings. He flew away from the Godhead; he remained in the body and dwelled in the desert, so that the children of the deserted wife might be more than those of her who had a husband. Therefore let us seek after Christ’s body that we also may rise again; for where the body is, there also will the eagles be.
Augustine of HippoAD 430
Exposition on Psalm 55
"I was looking for him that should save me from weakness of mind and tempest" [Psalm 55:8]. Sea there is, tempest there is: nothing for you remains but to cry out, "Lord, I perish." [Matthew 14:30] Let Him stretch forth hand, who does the waves tread fearlessly, let Him relieve your dread, let Him confirm in Himself your security, let Him speak to you within, and say to you, "Give heed to Me, what I have borne:" an evil brother perchance you are suffering, or an enemy without art suffering; which of these have I not suffered? There roared without Jews, within a disciple was betraying. There rages therefore tempest, but He does save men from weakness of mind, and tempest. Perchance your ship is being troubled, because He in you is sleeping. The sea was raging, the bark wherein the disciples were sailing was being tossed; but Christ was sleeping: at length it was seen by them that among them was sleeping the Ruler and Creator of winds; they drew near and awoke Christ; [Matthew 8:24-25] He commanded the winds, and there was a great calm. With reason then perchance your heart is troubled, because you have forgotten Him on whom you have believed: beyond endurance you are suffering, because it has not come into your mind what for you Christ has borne. If unto your mind comes not Christ, He sleeps: awake Christ, recall faith. For then in you Christ is sleeping, if you have forgotten the sufferings of Christ: then in you Christ is watching, if you have remembered the sufferings of Christ. But when with full heart you shall have considered what He has suffered, will not you too with equanimity endure? And perchance rejoicing, because you have been found in some likeness of the sufferings of your King. When therefore on these things thinking you have begun to be comforted and to rejoice, He has arisen, He has commanded the winds; therefore there is a great calm. "I was looking for Him that should save me from weakness of mind and tempest."
BedeAD 735
Homilies on the Gospels 1:1
Typologically, however, the desert where John [the Baptist] remained separated from the allurements of the world designates the lives of the saints, who, whether they live as solitaries or mingled with the crowds, always reject the desires of the present world with the whole intention of their minds. They take delight in clinging only to God in the secrecy of their heart and in placing their hope in him. This solitude of mind, most dear to God, is what the prophet desired to attain with the help of the grace of the Holy Spirit when he said, “Who will give me wings as of a dove, and I will fly away and rest?” And as soon as he had secured this [solitude] by the Lord’s help, he gave thanks, and as though reviling the entanglements of ordinary earthly desires, he continued, “Behold, I have withdrawn afar in flight, and I have remained in solitude.”
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
Copy as
Continue studying Psalms 55:8 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
SefariaThe Hebrew text with Rashi and centuries of Jewish commentary.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
SUMMARY
Psalm 55:8 vividly portrays the psalmist's profound and desperate yearning for immediate deliverance from overwhelming distress, graphically depicted as a "windy storm and tempest." This verse articulates a universal human desire to flee from intense suffering, betrayal, and chaotic circumstances, expressing a deep longing for peace and rest away from the relentless pressures and destructive forces of life's most violent trials. It captures the raw emotion of one caught in a maelstrom, seeking any means of rapid escape.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalm 55:8 is rich in Imagery, vividly portraying the psalmist's distress through the powerful and destructive forces of the natural world. The central device employed is Metaphor, where the "windy storm and tempest" stand in for the overwhelming, violent, and destructive troubles David faces. This metaphor effectively communicates the chaotic, uncontrollable, and life-threatening nature of his circumstances, suggesting he is caught in a maelstrom of suffering. The desire to "hasten my escape" also employs Hyperbole, emphasizing the extreme urgency and desperation of his longing for relief; it suggests that any means of escape, no matter how fantastical (as implied by the preceding verse's wish for wings), would be infinitely preferable to enduring the present suffering. Furthermore, the Personification of the "storm" as something from which one actively needs to escape implies an active, hostile, and pursuing force, further intensifying the sense of threat and the psalmist's vulnerability.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
David's desperate longing for escape in Psalm 55:8 resonates deeply with the universal human condition, acknowledging the natural inclination to flee from pain and overwhelming adversity. However, within the broader theological framework of the Psalms, this cry for escape often serves as a prelude to seeking ultimate refuge in God. While the psalmist expresses a desire for physical flight, the true and lasting sanctuary is found not in geographical distance or physical removal, but in the divine presence. God is consistently portrayed throughout Scripture as the ultimate shelter from life's most violent storms, the one who provides unwavering peace and stability amidst chaos. This verse, therefore, implicitly invites the afflicted to turn their desperate cries for relief towards the Lord, trusting Him to be their ultimate haven and deliverer, even when the tempest rages with its full fury.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 55:8 offers a poignant and deeply relatable reflection on the universal human experience of feeling utterly overwhelmed by life's "storms"—whether they manifest as personal crises, relational betrayals, societal turmoil, or spiritual battles. It validates the natural, often intense, desire to escape from pain, chaos, and find safety. While our initial instinct might be to physically remove ourselves from difficult circumstances, this verse challenges us to consider where true and lasting refuge is found. It encourages us to acknowledge our feelings of fear, desperation, and even the desire to flee, without shame, recognizing that even the most devout figures like David experienced such profound distress. The ultimate application lies in bringing our desperate cries for relief and our longing for escape to the Lord, trusting that He is our unfailing shelter, capable of providing peace not just after the storm has passed, but in the midst of it. Our "escape" is not always a physical removal from the situation, but often a spiritual anchoring in God's unwavering presence and power, allowing Him to be our calm in the chaos.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Is it wrong for a believer to want to escape from difficult situations?
Answer: No, it is not inherently wrong. Psalm 55:8 demonstrates that even a man after God's own heart, like David, experienced an intense, desperate longing to flee from overwhelming pain and chaos. This desire is a natural and understandable human response to suffering and threat. The Bible is replete with examples of God's people expressing their distress and yearning for relief. The key lies not in suppressing this natural desire, but in where we ultimately seek our escape and refuge. While the initial impulse may be to physically remove ourselves, the spiritual journey often leads us to find our true and lasting "escape" in the steadfast presence and power of God, who alone can provide peace and strength in the midst of the storm, as beautifully articulated in Psalm 91:1-2.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
David's desperate longing for escape from the "windy storm and tempest" finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. While David yearned for a physical flight from his tormentors and the chaos of his circumstances, Christ, in His perfect humanity, fully entered into the storms of human suffering, betrayal, and ultimately, the tempest of God's righteous wrath against sin. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus Himself cried out in profound anguish, desiring for the "cup" of suffering to pass from Him (Matthew 26:39), a raw and authentic expression of His human desire to escape the impending agony. Yet, in perfect obedience, He submitted to the Father's will, enduring the full force of the storm on the cross, becoming sin for us. Through His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection, Jesus became the ultimate refuge and shelter, not just from earthly troubles, but from the eternal consequences of sin and death. He is the one who demonstrated His power over literal storms, calming the raging sea with a word (Mark 4:39), and more importantly, He offers a profound peace that transcends all understanding in the midst of life's spiritual and emotional tempests (John 14:27). For those who are in Christ, the desire for escape is met not by fleeing the world, but by finding an unshakeable haven in Him, who has overcome the world and its storms (John 16:33). He is our ultimate and eternal escape into the safety of God's eternal presence.