  HE LORD ALSO will be a refuge for the oppressed,
a refuge in times of trouble. Psalm 9:9
This is a powerful promise and one to meditate on and memorize to be written on the tablets of our hearts and minds. The beauty of this passage is in the word, "Refuge". In the Webster dictionary and bible dictionaries the word refuge means; a shelter and protection from danger or distress. What's more interesting is the Hebrew definition for refuge: misgab (mis-gawb) which also means; "CLIFF" - High and Lofty inaccessible to reach or obtain.
Here is the cross-reference for this very passage:
Psalm 91:2-5 "I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust." 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; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, NKJV
In this passage especially in verses 3 and 4, we learn that our refuge is under the shadow of His wings. Eagles and most birds are known to protect their young by placing them underneath their wings hiding them from the eyes of the predators and protecting them from the snare of the fowler.
It is a well known fact that bald eagles build their nests on very high trees or mountain earth and rock cliffs. They build their nests very high to give themselves an aerial view overlooking a wide range of land to look out for predators that come near and also high enough to prevent animals and predators from climbing up to reach their nests. Do you remember how I mentioned earlier what the Hebrew word for refuge is? A cliff that is high and lofty inaccessible to reach or obtain?
I hope you will see the Lord in a new light here how precious and valuable you are to Him. He loves His children so much He protects us under the shadow of His wings and set's us high upon a rock and keeps us safe from predators and the snares of the fowler.
May you be blessed and encouraged to know that you can trust God to be your refuge and strong tower in times of trouble and see God faithful as a loving and protective father to His children.
Psalms 57:1-3 "Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! for my soul trusts in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, Until these calamities have passed by. I will cry out to God Most High, To God who performs all things for me. He shall send from heaven and save me; NKJV
Psalm 27:5-6 For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock. And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.
NKJV
Filoiann Wiedenhoff is a Pastor’s Wife, Work at Home Mom, Woman’s Biblical Counselor, Bible Teacher and Writer. You can subscribe to her monthly newsletter and visit her website.More columns by Filoiann Wiedenhoff
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