He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. (Psalm 91:4)
In the verse above, it is clear that the composer of this psalm (tradition says it was written by Moses) wished to describe the Lord’s protection of His people in a way that everyone could understand. Just as a mother bird shelters her young from the elements and potential danger, our Heavenly Father watches over those who place their trust in Him. To make the point, the psalmist saw fit to articulate this sentiment twice: “He shall cover you with His feathers AND under His wings you shall take refuge.”
Reading this in English we might be inclined to move on without thinking too much more about it. However, reading this in Hebrew brings something of interest to light — the Hebrew words for “feathers” and “wings” are not only different but convey their own unique concepts. We’ll focus specifically on the Hebrew word כנף kanaf, translated here as “wings.” In regard to a bird, this would refer to the more ornamental feathers on the bird’s extremity — their plumage you might say. Therefore, while the word kanaf can be rendered as wings, it also means the “edge, border” or even “corner” of something — think of the corner of a garment.
Remember when the woman who had the issue of blood reached out to touch the hem of Messiah’s garment? That hem would be the corner or, in Hebrew, the kanaf of His garment. You might even say she sought to touch the wing of His garment. That idea comes into sharper focus when you consider the words of Malachi: “To you who fear My name the Sun of Righteousness shall arise With healing in His wings (kanaf)” (Malachi 4:2). The Messiah, on more than one occasion, fulfilled the words of the psalmist, most literally. As He walked the countryside and through city streets, the edges of His garment — His wings — encountered those who were sick and body and in spirit and they were healed.
In this vein of thought, it is important to remember what He said to the inhabitants of Jerusalem as He rode into the city just before He was sacrificed as the Passover lamb: “How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings” (Matthew 23:37). Put simply, He is true to His Word and He keeps His promises. And so those who look to Messiah as their shield and buckler will not be disappointed; He continues to gather those who trust in Him under His wings of protection and shelters us beneath the hem of His garment.
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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