“With His pinion He will cover thee/ And under His wings shall thou take refuge/ His truth is a shield and a buckler.” (Ps. 91:4)
Psalm 91 is one of my favorite psalms. I love both its message and poetic imagery, especially here in verse four.
I was told once in a Bible study when we were discussing this particular psalm that verse four has direct reference to real life. Did you know, for instance, that a mother hen if she senses danger, like seeing the moving shadow of a hawk on the ground, that she will actually gather her chicks under her wings, thus protecting them from danger? What a wonderful image of love--a mother willing to sacrifice herself for her young. I know of no better definition of love than selfless service and sacrifice for the beloved.
This, in short, it the message of psalm 91. The psalmist here takes on the role of a wise person instructing his or her disciple - as one of God’s faithful followers you are under his protection. Note the key words in the verse: “shield,” “buckler,” “pinions,” “wings.” All strong and solid words, muscle words, which imply strength and protection.
Later in the psalm this message is reiterated when the psalmist proclaims: “He gives his angels over thee…Less thou dash thy foot against a stone/ Thou shalt trend on the lion and the viper/ Thou shalt trample on the lion and the serpent.” (Ps. 91:11-13)
What a wonderful message of hope we have in this psalm for the Lenten season. Put your trust in God and you have the promise of his protection in times of danger and peril.
Psalm 91 is one of my favorite psalms. I love both its message and poetic imagery, especially here in verse four.
I was told once in a Bible study when we were discussing this particular psalm that verse four has direct reference to real life. Did you know, for instance, that a mother hen if she senses danger, like seeing the moving shadow of a hawk on the ground, that she will actually gather her chicks under her wings, thus protecting them from danger? What a wonderful image of love--a mother willing to sacrifice herself for her young. I know of no better definition of love than selfless service and sacrifice for the beloved.
This, in short, it the message of psalm 91. The psalmist here takes on the role of a wise person instructing his or her disciple - as one of God’s faithful followers you are under his protection. Note the key words in the verse: “shield,” “buckler,” “pinions,” “wings.” All strong and solid words, muscle words, which imply strength and protection.
Later in the psalm this message is reiterated when the psalmist proclaims: “He gives his angels over thee…Less thou dash thy foot against a stone/ Thou shalt trend on the lion and the viper/ Thou shalt trample on the lion and the serpent.” (Ps. 91:11-13)
What a wonderful message of hope we have in this psalm for the Lenten season. Put your trust in God and you have the promise of his protection in times of danger and peril.
(Joe Reynolds)
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