Psalm 91:4 states, “He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.”
At first glance this text brings to mind a bird that offers protection to its young. I recall a childhood story Donna used to read to our little girls about a mother hen who had died in a fire. When she was lifted from the ashes, they found her little chicks alive under her wings. Jesus said in Matthew 23:37, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!”
David called out to God in Psalm 57:1, “Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.”
Malachi 4:2 prophesies about Jesus, “But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings….” The Jews called the prayer shawl “wings.” When both arms were extended out to each side, the prayer shawl being draped across the back and hanging down each arm, it gave the appearance of wings. The fringe on the bottom—the “tzitzit”, or tassels, were almost like feathers. Each of these tassels represented a law of Moses. In a sense, to be under God’s wings, was to be under God’s law. Our text now takes on more meaning. He will cover me with His law or truth. His law, or truth, protects me.
Solomon gave his son many rules, laws, or instructions that would spare him from the dangers facing a young man. Today parents try to do the same thing, but only too often find their children rebelling. Churches have rules for our protection, that are often construed as legalism. Traffic laws are for everyone’s safety. Even a train is confined to stay on its tracks, which makes for a smooth, efficient ride.
God never intended for His law to ruin our fun, but to protect us from death. The same God who said to Adam that he could not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, also gave him many wonderful fruit trees for his pleasure. Satan is always quick to point out that God is the withholder and not the giver. It is so simple. God puts before us life and death and lets us choose which we want. If we truly believed God we would choose life.
In Matthew 9:20 & 21 we see a woman who truly believed, “And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.” She believed Malachi 4:2. She knew that Jesus was the Messiah and that there was healing in His wings, or prayer shawl, or garment.
The hymn “Under His Wings” by William O. Cushing and Ira D. Sankey, tells of the safety, the refuge, and the joy that His law provides under HIS WINGS!
