Psalms 55:7
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
See, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah.
American King James Version (AKJV)
See, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah.
American Standard Version (ASV)
Lo, then would I wander far off, I would lodge in the wilderness. Selah
Basic English Translation (BBE)
I would go wandering far away, living in the waste land. (Selah.)
Webster's Revision
Lo, then I would wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah.
World English Bible
Behold, then I would wander far off. I would lodge in the wilderness." Selah.
English Revised Version (ERV)
Lo, then would I wander far off, I would lodge in the wilderness. Selah
Clarke's Psalms 55:7 Bible Commentary
Would I wander far off - He did escape; and yet his enemies were so near, as to throw stones at him: but he escaped beyond Jordan. 2 Samuel 17:22, 2 Samuel 17:23.
A passage in the Octavia of Seneca has been referred to as being parallel to this of David. It is in the answer of Octavia to the Chorus, Acts v., ver. 914-923.
Quis mea digne deflere potest Mala?
Quae lacrymis nostris quaestus
Reddet Aedon? cujus pennas
Utinam miserae mihi fata darent!
Fugerem luctus ablata meos
Penna volucri, procul et coetus
Hominum tristes sedemque feram.
Sola in vacuo nemore, et tenui
Ramo pendens, querulo possem
Gutture moestum fundere murmur.
My woes who enough can bewail?
O what notes can my sorrows express?
continued...
Barnes's Psalms 55:7 Bible Commentary
Lo, then would I wander far off - literally, "Lo, I would make the distance far by wandering;" I would separate myself far from these troubles.
And remain in the wilderness - literally, I would sojourn; or, I would pass the night; or, I would put up for the night. The idea is taken from a traveler who puts up for the night, or who rests for a night in his weary travels, and seeks repose. Compare Genesis 19:2; Genesis 32:21; 2 Samuel 12:16; Judges 19:13. The word "wilderness" means, in the Scripture, a place not inhabited by man; a place where wild beasts resort; a place uncultivated. It does not denote, as with us, an extensive forest. It might be a place of rocks and sands, but the essential idea is, that it was not inhabited. See the notes at Matthew 4:1. In such a place, remote from the habitations of people, he felt that he might be at rest.