Psalm 91:4(NLT) He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
To cover means to shelter or protect. When we lean upon God, look to Him to help us, surrender our ideas and agenda, and submit to His, He covers us in His heart. To be covered in this way is not only comforting, but it is also the ultimate protection and peace.
Feathers, in this verse refers to strength and power. We become one with Him, in His house, part of His family who is head over all things. And since He is head of the house, when we receive revelation from Him, we need to pay attention.
This section concerns taking shelter under the wings of the Almighty, as though we were young birds, and He was our mother. In His shelter He will cover us with his feathers, and we will find refuge. God is our Protector because He is faithful. Our relationship with Him always rests on His faithfulness, which is unfailing.
There are several other instances where biblical writers compare God to a bird. In the book of Deuteronomy, for example, Moses compares God to an eagle:
Deuteronomy 32:11(NLT) Like an eagle that rouses her chicks and hovers over her young, so he spread his wings to take them up and carried them safely on his pinions.
Exodus 19:4(NKJV) ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself.
Ruth 2:12 (NKJV) “The LORD repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge.”
Psalms 17:8(NKJV) “Keep me as the apple of Your eye; Hide me under the shadow of Your wings,
Matthew 23:37(NKJV) “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!”
When a young bird is lonely, cold, or feels threatened, it seeks refuge under its mother’s wings. The young bird finds comfort, security, and stability under its mother’s wings. In the same way, God’s people are to seek refuge under God’s wings in times of peace and of adversity.
“Bird feathers are an amazing example of God’s design. Feathers have a smooth part and a fluffy part. The smooth part of the feather has stiff barbs with tiny hooks that lock together like the prongs of a zipper. The fluffy part keeps a bird warm. Together both parts of the feather protect the bird from wind and rain. Imagine how much stronger, warming, and protective God’s feathers are! Like a parent whose arms are a safe place to retreat from a scary storm or a hurt, God’s comforting presence provides safety and protection from life’s storms.” – Linda Washington (Under His Wings)