In the Shadow of His Wings: Psalm 57 » Psalms, Spiritual Formation

The psalms utilize flowery language. That’s part of what it makes them psalms (songs). Sometimes that language heightens the meaning and sometimes it has a tendency to mask the meaning.

For example, what does it mean to be “in the shadow of your wings”? Why not just under God’s wing? Does he have two or more wings? Why aren’t the wings closer than merely casting a shadow?

I don’t know all it is supposed to mean, but in general being in the shadow of God’s wings certainly sounds comforting, something I’d like rather than something I would fear.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed. — Psalm 57:1

How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings. — Psalm 36:7

Shadows can be scary places. (I was scared stiff of the dark as a child.) But they don’t have to be scary. It is the nature of what casts the shadow that makes the difference. This is a shadow cast by the Almighty. It is personal. It is protective.

The references above and others in the psalms repeat the theme of “refuge” and “shelter” in connection with God’s wings (17:8; 61:4; 63:7; 91:4). I think of this large hen’s wing reaching out to her chicks, gathering them in to protect them from some danger (This is an image Jesus employs in Matthew 23 and Luke 13).

I’ve been told that following range fires searchers will come across a mother fowl who has insulated her chicks under her body, only to give her own life as the fire flashed by. The searchers often turn the mother over to find her chicks still alive.

This is similar to what we find in Ps 17:8-9. “Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings from the wicked who assail me, from my mortal enemies who surround me.”

What a beautiful picture of what Jesus Christ has done for us, covering us, giving his life that we may live!

And not only that, but we live in the protection of “the shadow of his wings” every day. In this challenging time, I’m going to look for evidence of that protection today.

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed. I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills [his purpose] for me. He sends from heaven and saves me, rebuking those who hotly pursue me; Selah God sends his love and his faithfulness. I am in the midst of lions; I lie among ravenous beasts— men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth. They spread a net for my feet— I was bowed down in distress. They dug a pit in my path— but they have fallen into it themselves. Selah My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music. Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.