Psalms 55:7
Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah.
Psalms 55:7
“Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah.” The desire to flee to the wilderness underscores a primal impulse to detach from hostile people and oppressive circumstances. The intentional pause (Selah) invites reflection—consider the instinct to withdraw, recharge, and seek safety. In Israel’s desert imagery, the wilderness can be both an exile and a space for encounter with God. The verse acknowledges the pull toward isolation as a survival mechanism amidst fear and betrayal.
This moment foregrounds the tension between human impulse to escape and the biblical invitation to trust God in the present crisis. It emphasizes that distress can push toward or away from God, depending on how one responds. Theologically, it signals that God’s presence is not limited to safety zones and that his guidance can lead through wilderness-like seasons rather than retreat from them.
If you’re tempted to disappear from community or responsibilities, resist the urge and seek healthier forms of retreat that still engage with God and others. Practical steps: schedule a brief, purposeful retreat to pray or journal, reach out to a trusted mentor, or take a day to reset in a place that fosters prayer and reflection. The goal is not permanent withdrawal but controlled time to regain perspective before re-entering the situation with renewed trust.
Cross-References
- Isaiah 43:19
- Psalm 78:39
- Psalm 61:1
- Exodus 3:1-4
- Mark 6:31