The world needs hope desperately right now, and I’m suddenly without work, essentially. Thus, I’m going to have time to share more regularly all the things God has shown me about Psalm 91 in the last year! For those who are just now joining me, please start at the beginning of this study:
Psalm 91: Revelations from a year of talking to God about it
I’m excited to reach verse 4:
This verse ends with my favorite line in the entire chapter! But let’s start at the beginning of the verse!
He will cover you…
At first, this verse seems simple, but there are two significant points.
First, who is doing the action here? Is it you, pulling this covering over yourself? No! The action is all God’s. He will cover you. The only thing you’re doing is back in verses one and two. You control only where you make your spiritual home, where you choose to abide, and what you choose to say and believe. You’re not responsible for drawing this covering over yourself. He does it.
And second, what does it really mean to cover something? Does it mean to lay a little handkerchief on it? Only if it’s something small. Because the word “cover” always carries the ideal of completeness. The dictionary says it means to conceal, to protect, to guard, or the hide from sight or knowledge. That is what He will do for us who choose to dwell and abide and take refuge in Him!
…with His pinions…
Other translations use the word “feathers.” This is a metaphor, and this is best explained with pictures:












…and under His wings you may seek refuge.
What we’re seeing here is a meeting of us and God. We choose to find refuge with Him, and He then covers us completely and hides us and guards us.
His faithfulness is…
But that’s why it is so important here to realize that we’re talking about God’s faithfulness! Because He is perfect! In everything. He is incapable of not following through on what He said He’ll do.
…a shield…
…and a bulwark.

I think it’s significant that the word “wall” isn’t used here. There are hundreds of times in the Bible that the word “wall” is used, and this verse could have said that His faithfulness is a wall. But no. He chose to use a word for just this one line that is used nowhere else. And He chose a word that means a massive, huge, strong wall that completely surrounds and protects the inhabitants.
When we chose to take cover under His wings, He covers us with the loving, caring protection demonstrated by these birds… but He does so perfectly.
And when He covers us, He raises a shield in front of us and He sets up a wall that completely surrounds us.
That surrounding wall is made of His faithfulness.
Won’t you run to Him? Join me in this place, surrounded by His faithfulness, protected by His faithfulness, and covered by His wings!
Here, there is peace.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.
I do not give to you as the world gives.
Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
– Jesus, in John 14:27
Previous Post in this series: Psalm 91: The threat of the snare and of pestilence
Next Post in this series: Psalm 91: When fear has no hold on you.
Such a timely post – the words and the pictures are just what my heart needs at this time of chaos and uncertainty.
I saw the comment you left on my last post, and my heart really smiled. Thank you for reconnecting with me. You are a treasured friend.
Yes, I do try to keep this blog updated… even though the posts are now few and far between. It is better than nothing.
We are safe within His faithfulness. So true.
Hugs,
Lidia