Psalm 91:3-4

Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler
and from the perilous pestilence.
He shall cover you with His feathers,
and under His wings you shall take refuge.

Fowlers catch birds.

We are the ones in danger of the snare. After all, the psalmist says that God will deliver us from the fowler's snare.

But when we look at verse 4, who has the feathers and the wings?

Who is the fowler really after?

Does this psalm say something about the incarnation? Does it say something about Christ taking our punishment, being trapped in our place?

And further, might it say something about the cross? We are covered by His feathers and hide under the shadow of His wings, and that IS our refuge. You normally think of a person rescuing birds from a net, not another bird. But if we hide under His feathers like little chicks hide under a momma hen's wings, then might His being caught also involve our being caught? Nevertheless, "the snare is broken. We are free. Our help is ever, Lord, in Thee who madest earth and heaven" (TLH 267).

The cross He bore is life and health,
Though shame and death to Him,
His people's hope, His people's wealth,
Their everlasting theme. (TLH 219)