The Everlasting Protective Love of God Our Father

Psalm 17:6-12 comes from the prayer of David to God to preserve his life from his enemies. My interpretation of this passage was heavily influenced by Matthew Henry's Commentary. When using this imagery, David may be thinking back to the wings of the cherubim shadowing the mercy seat which was placed on top of the arch of God in the tabernacle, the place of worship for the People of God (Exodus 25:30). As Matthew Henry wrote, is it as if David is praying: "Hide me under the shadow of thy wings where I may be both safe and warm." This is not the only time we see the allusion to the wings of a bird and God's protection and care.

Jesus Christ alludes to this same winged metaphor of protection when He speaks of his loving desire to draw the children of Jerusalem to himself "as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings" (Matthew 23:37).

Therefore let us put our trust in God, for He protects us continually under the wings of His mercy. And the Father of mercies will convey us to His heavenly kingdom in a timely season.