The Chasam Sofer (Toras Moshe) explains this pasuk by citing the verse (Hoshea 4:17): "Efraim is joined to idols; let him alone." Chazal learn from this that when Yidden live together in peace and unity, no harm will befall them even if they serve idols. This is the reason why the Dor Hamabul was punished more than the Dor Haflagah. Even though the sin of the Dor Haflagah was worse, since they had achdus between them, they received a lesser punishment.
Accordingly, the pasuk can be understood as saying that one can travel away from fear (charada) by "camping in united groups" (makhalos). But when we travel away from united groups – meaning that we do not live with achdus – we will travel to "tachas" – the lowest level. And if we travel away from this lowly level of disunity, we will be able to camp in "sweetness" (miska).