While the author trembles from fear, he says to himself, If I only had wings like a dove, then I would fly away and stay away to find rest or until I find rest. Yes, I would flee far away; I would overnight in the desert.
That area becomes a safe haven to flee to: no people around, the enemies would not be able to find him there, and it is far away from the civilized world. We read of a similar longing in Jeremiah 9:2: Oh that I had in the desert a travelers’ lodging place…
Flying away, hurrying along, he would find a shelter, safe from the raging storm of the enmity that he cannot stand.
6 And I say, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest;