It might be a good time to re-read verses 1-4 keeping in mind that it is because of verses 1&2 that we then have what is promised in verses 3&4.
“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand]. I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I [confidently] trust! For [then] He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. [Then] He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings shall you trust and find refuge; His truth and His faithfulness are a shield and a buckler.”
We ended last time with the question: How will the Lord do this? How is it that the Lord will deliver us from the snare of the fowler and the deadly pestilence? The answer is….
He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings shall you trust and find refuge; His truth and His faithfulness are a shield and a buckler. (verse 4)
Verse 4 tells us…When we seek refuge and flee to Him for protection, HE COVERS US and His truth and faithfulness become a shield and a buckler for us. (more on that later)
Covers. God covers us. Enough said, right? But let’s look deeper into that word. Let’s “mine” it for it’s gold (worth). The word covers implies the weaving together of a hedge or a fence, and then laying it over something to protect, defend, shut in, and completely hide what’s enclosed. Picture a baby in the womb. That is what it means to cover. Sweet, huh? That baby is surrounded and protected within the sac. It is nourished and taken care of completely without a care in this world as it grows and matures.
In this verse the covering is likened to the parts of a bird, “pinions” (or feathers), and “wings”. Pinions refers to outermost primary flight feathers that cause a bird to fly and soar. Wings refers to the extremity of those feathers…the extreme boundary. Both words imply flying or lifting up and soaring for the purpose of caring and protecting.
So here’s how I see it. In this verse, we are likened to birds that a bird hunter (fowler) is trying to trap, kill and destroy. But there’s a Greater One that, if likened to a bird, has an endless wing span with feathers that make Him capable of covering and concealing anything and everything, and then soaring above it all, safe from any danger or destruction from the fowler..including the power of the evil prince of the air (Satan), and any of the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenlies. He covers us like a baby in the womb, and we soar with Him. His huge outstretched wings protect us and fend off all harm. His outstretched wings have no end consequently there is no end to His care and protection. Under them we are perfectly safe, always. We are His children and He will do what it takes to protect His youngin’s. We can trust and find refuge under those endless wings. But first we have to know this, and then believe it for ourselves. In other words, we have to have faith in what He promises. Now that we know it, like that baby in the womb, let’s choose to stay under cover.
The Easy-To-Read Version says, You can go to Him for protection. He will cover you like a bird spreading it’s wings over it’s babies. You can trust Him to surround and protect you like a shield.
There’s a beautiful picture of this in Deuteronomy 32:11 speaking of how God cared for Israel
The Lord was like an eagle building and protecting its nest; hovering over its young. He spread His wings and took them. He bore them on His pinions and carried them to a safe place.
I’ve probably shared this verse before, but it’s worth repeating….
Psalm 27:5 In the day of trouble He will hide me. In the secret place of His tent He will hide me… (Amplified)
…and this one…
Psalm 17:8 Keep close watch over me as the apple of Your eye; shelter me in the shadow (protection) of Your wings. (The Voice)
The Message says it this way, Keep your eye on me; hide me under your cool wing feathers from the wicked who are out to get me, from mortal enemies closing in.
…another favorite…
Psalm 5:11 But let all those who take refuge and put their trust in You rejoice; let them ever sing and shout for joy, because You make a covering over them and defend them; let those also who love Your name be joyful in You and be in high spirits.
Under His wings—His huge outstretched arms that have no end with no way for the enemy to get in, we are safely hidden from all the enemy would try to do and have nothing to fear.
One more favorite…
Psalm 57:1 Be merciful and gracious to me, O God, be merciful and gracious to me; for my soul takes refuge and find shelter and confidence in You; yes in the shadow of Your wings will I take refuge and be confident until calamities and destructive storms are passed.
Let’s trust in His faithfulness to shield and protect us. Agree?
To be continued….until then…peace to you and your family.
