“Keep me, O keep me, King of kings, beneath the shelter of your wings.”

Hymn: “All Praise to You, My God This Night” – Thomas Ken (1637-1711)
Typical Tune: TALLIS’ CANON

The wing-sheltering concept interlaces itself throughout scripture, always reminding us of the protective, parenting/mothering nature of God. Jesus showed his feminine side when he scolded Jerusalem, “How often would I have gathered your children together, even as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings…” (Matt. 23:37, Luke 13:34)

Lots of hymns and gospel songs carry this theme. From “Under His Wings” to “The Great Speckled Bird,” we are invited and encouraged to find refuge positioned near to the heart of God.

None of us avoid safety; in fact, we crave it. It’s why we live in walled, locked homes, why we drive impact-ready vehicles, why we rely on our local police forces, why we have a Department of Homeland Security, etc. Because it is in our nature to seek out safekeeping, this nestled-under-his-wings is a place we want to be.

I gravitate to this hymn’s text because it is a prayer… even a plea… for maintenance: “Continue to be a shelter to me. Maintain your strong grip upon me.”

There is safety in numbers, but there is also security cuddled all alone in the shelter of the everlasting arms.


A Fugue on the Tallis Tune with This Text