In the 70’s, I recall being really amazed . . .

11Aug
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, abides under the shadow of the Almighty. He shall say to the Lord, "You are my refuge and my stronghold, my God in whom I put my trust." He shall deliver you from the snare of the hunter and from the deadly pestilence. He shall cover you with his pinions, and you shall find refuge under his wings; his faithfulness shall be a shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of any terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day; of the plague that stalks in the darkness, nor of the sickness that lays waste at mid-day. A thousand shall fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand, but it shall not come near you. Your eyes have only to behold to see the reward of the wicked because you have made the Lord your refuge, and the Most High your habitation, there shall no evil happen to you, neither shall any plague come near your dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. They shall bear you in their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone. 
- Psalm 91:1-12

In the 70’s, I recall being really amazed when I learned that Cat Stevens’ popular song, “Morning Has Broken,” and The Byrds’ “Turn! Turn Turn!” – two classics of that era – were actually based on Biblical and Christian hymnal sources. “Morning” was derived from a popular children’s church hymn written by a poet in the 1930s and put to new chords by Stevens in 1971. The lyrics of “Turn!” (1965) were taken almost verbatim from Ecclesiastes (3:1-8) though the words are slightly rearranged. 

Twenty-five years ago, Michael Crawford (of Phantom fame) recorded “On Eagle’s Wings” based on Psalm 91, but apparently, the work never attained the same widespread popular notoriety as the earlier generation Christian-based rock and roll treatments. That’s a shame, and someone today should try a new recording version.

I associate this psalm and its hymnal derivation with death and funerals, as it seems to be used very frequently on those somber occasions. The hymn was written in 1976 by the Rev. Jan Michael Joncas with every line taken from scripture. The words and lyrics call for a confidence in our God who, if we make him our resting place, will never abandon us. The primary emphasis in the psalm and the hymn is that God promises protection, provision and deliverance – when we shelter under the wing of the Almighty, we are shielded from all dangers. The words invite us to trust in God’s unfailing promises and to find security and peace in his eternal embrace:

“And he will raise you up on eagles’ wings, bear you on the breath of dawn, make you to shine like the sun, and hold you in the palm of his hand.” AMEN!

Musical Reflections are embedded in this meditation.

PsalmsMusic
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