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Why did the psalmist compare God to a bird? (Psalm 91:4)

Context, Psalm 91:3-4

3 
Surely he will save you
    from the fowler’s snare
    and from the deadly pestilence.
4 
He will cover you with his feathers,
    and under his wings you will find refuge;
    his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

Psalms 91:4

ESV - 4 He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.

Clarify Share Report Asked July 02 2020 My picture Jack Gutknecht Supporter

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Mini Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army
I would say that it was because of the vivid mental picture that it would evoke in those reading the psalm through the use of a familiar metaphor of a bird sheltering her young (who are both small and defenseless) against danger by covering them with her wings, which the psalmist likened to the protection that God provides to His followers based on the relative helplessness of humans in comparison to God. (Jesus used the same imagery in weeping over Jerusalem in Matthew 23:37 and Luke 13:34.)

July 02 2020 0 responses Vote Up Share Report


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