The Meaning of Psalms 55:6 Explained

Psalms 55:6

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

YLT: And I say, 'Who doth give to me a pinion as a dove? I fly away and rest,

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

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

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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

What does Psalms 55:6 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalms 55:1-11 - Fleeing The City's Ills
This psalm was suggested by Absalom's rebellion and Ahithophel's treachery. But it contains references which, in their full extent, are chiefly applicable to Judas' treatment of our Lord. The terrors of the unseen, the stealthy tread of the assassin, the treachery of a friend, the drawn sword under unctuous speech-such were the bitter ingredients mingled for this deeply-tried soul. But we have all known something of his disappointment and anguish, and have longed for the swift wings of a dove to escape to the bosom of God.
One of the Puritans says: "My Spouse is ascended higher than the highest heavens, and I, poor soul, am left desolate and disconsolate in this valley of tears. The weight of my weakness and my sins doth so clog and shackle me, so glue and nail me to the earth, that I cannot rise. Let Him descend and give me wings whereby I may ascend." Who will give-humility. Who will give wings-celerity. Like a dove-innocence. Fly away-aspirations to the Lord, "whom having not seen, we love." Rest-permanent security. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalms 55

1  David in his prayer complains of his fearful case
9  He prays against his enemies, of whose wickedness and treachery he complains
16  He comforts himself in God's preservation oh him, and confusion of his enemies

What do the individual words in Psalms 55:6 mean?

So I said Oh that I had to wings like a dove I would fly away and be at rest
וָאֹמַ֗ר מִֽי־ יִתֶּן־ לִּ֣י אֵ֭בֶר ! כַּיּוֹנָ֗ה אָע֥וּפָה וְאֶשְׁכֹּֽנָה

וָאֹמַ֗ר  So  I  said 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, first person common singular
Root: אָמַר 
Sense: to say, speak, utter.
מִֽי־  Oh  that 
Parse: Interjection
Root: מִי  
Sense: who?, whose?, whom?, would that, whoever, whosoever.
יִתֶּן־  I  had 
Parse: Preposition, first person common singular
Root: יָתַן 
Sense: to give, put, set.
אֵ֭בֶר  wings 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: אֵבֶר  
Sense: pinion, wing.
! כַּיּוֹנָ֗ה  like  a  dove 
Parse: Preposition-k, Article, Noun, feminine singular
Root: יׄונָה  
Sense: dove, pigeon.
אָע֥וּפָה  I  would  fly  away 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect Cohortative, first person common singular
Root: עוּף 
Sense: to fly, fly about, fly away.
וְאֶשְׁכֹּֽנָה  and  be  at  rest 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative, first person common singular
Root: שָׁכַן  
Sense: to settle down, abide, dwell, tabernacle, reside.

What are the major concepts related to Psalms 55:6?

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