30 Days With the PsalmsSample

Being safe and precious to God

“Keep me as the apple of Your eye;
hide me in the shadow of Your wings” (Psalm 17:8 ESV).

David seeks refuge in God in a difficult situation. The metaphor that David uses here (and that is used in other places in the Bible as well) is very intimate. Someone who fears God and seeks refuge in Him, is as precious to God as “the apple of His eye”. This literally means one’s pupil, but metaphorically is something or someone that one cherishes above all others.

The other metaphor comes from a chicken that provides shelter for its baby chicks by hiding them under its wings. This is a safe place, and a very intimate place as well. When David asks God to hide him in the shadow of His wings, he asks for love, care and safety.
When Jesus enters Jerusalem, He uses the same metaphor. But this time the people don’t answer His invitation: “How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!” (Matthew 23:37 ESV).

Do you accept God’s invitation to hide under the shadows of His wings?