Psalms 55:7

“Lo, [then] would I wander far off, [and] remain in the wilderness, etc.] So David did when he fled from Absalom, (<101523>2 Samuel 15:23,27,28 16:1,2); so gracious souls desire to be; not in the wilderness of the people; but to be solitary as in a wilderness, clear of the company of wicked men, as Jeremiah wished for, (<240902>Jeremiah 9:2); and that they might be more at leisure for and given up unto spiritual devotion, and be secure from their enemies: and as this may be applied to Christ, it shows the wickedness, cruelty, and barbarity of the men of that generation among whom he lived; that he chose rather to be in the wilderness, among wild beasts, than to dwell among them,…”

“Even a wilderness is a safer place than exposure to such evils, terrible as storm and tempest.”

“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; Gen 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…”

“Sa1 27:1; Sa2 15:14, Sa2 17:21, Sa2 17:22; Pro 6:4, Pro 6:5; Jer 9:2, Jer 37:12 Psalms 55:8”