Psalm 16:1-3
A miktam of David.
Keep me safe, my God,
for in you I take refuge.
I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
apart from you I have no good thing.”
I say of the holy people who are in the land,
“They are the noble ones in whom is all my delight.”
Psalm 57:1-3
Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me,
for in you I take refuge.
I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings
until the disaster has passed.
I cry out to God Most High,
to God, who vindicates me.
He sends from heaven and saves me,
rebuking those who hotly pursue me
God sends forth his love and his faithfulness.
The headings of Psalm 16, Psalm 57 and also Psalm 56-60 include the word Mitkam. I was surprised to read that Bible scholars don’t know the exact meaning of this word. But it was used in times of danger in prayers for safekeeping.
Last week I was standing at our kitchen sink looking out. A hummingbird flew up. It flew close to the glass and hovered looking in. I told Jean about it even though it didn’t seem completely real. The next day we were both standing there and a hummingbird flew up to the window before flying away.
In quarantine, the sky has been more bright and clear. With everything more quiet birds are easier to notice. They are everywhere. They are busy. It feels like God is moving also. During a recent R&R Service Zoom others said they noticed the same thing. Seeing geese in V formation and feeling the wind when they fly over is an awesome experience of God’s creation.
Birds are like prayers offering connections to God while bringing encouragement and hope for His safekeeping. “God sends forth his love and his faithfulness.”
Tony McCullough