Chicks are sheltered only when they come under the wings.
The mother does not pin them down—she opens her wings and calls. How precious – Loved Securely explores Psalm 36:7 and the quiet truth that refuge is found in nearness. God’s lovingkindness is precious, and those who draw close discover the safety of living beneath the shadow of His wings.

“How precious is Thy lovingkindness, O God!
And the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Thy wings.” Psalm 36:7

Have you ever owned something truly precious? Something rare and valuable—an item you guard carefully, protect intentionally, and hold in the highest regard. The psalmist invites us to consider what it means for something to be precious, drawing on a concept we all understand: the great worth of what matters most.

In Psalm 36:7, what is called precious is not a possession, but God’s lovingkindness. His ḥesed—His covenant love—is treated with care and intention because it is of immeasurable worth. God does not handle His lovingkindness lightly. He guards it faithfully, keeping it true, because He is a covenant-keeping God whose love is deliberate, unwavering, and secure. It is not haphazard or casual. It is extended with purpose, as something priceless and of great value.

Because God’s lovingkindness is precious,
it can be trusted.
And because it can be trusted, when He offers us refuge, we may move forward with confidence.

The imagery of taking refuge in the shadow of His wings naturally brings to mind a familiar picture—the chicks sheltered beneath their mother’s wings.

This instinctive behavior is not accidental. The wings are a living canopy of warmth, protection, and containment. The mother actively calls her chicks, adjusting her posture as conditions change, providing refuge precisely when it is needed. As she beckons her young, alerting them to danger, they can run towards her, relying on the refuge she provides.

You see, safety is found by moving closer, not farther away.

The word used here for refuge—ḥāsâ—demands proximity. It describes intentional movement toward protection.

We can picture the chicks running quickly beneath the wing, responding to the call. Refuge involves movement—toward safety; submission—tucking underneath the wing; and trust—remaining close, even when calm returns. Coverage is not found near the wing, but under it. Sheltered. Safe. Secure.

So great is God’s lovingkindness—so precious to Him is this attribute of His own character—that He guards it and keeps it faithful.
Ever present to His children.

Yet we live in a broken world, one filled with ongoing danger and unseen threats. And Scripture reminds us of an important truth: you cannot be in someone’s shadow at a distance.

Shadowing requires nearness and alignment.
The sun still exists.
The heat is still real.
But with protection, its power is interrupted.

To live in the shadow of His wings does not mean the threat disappears. It means our closeness to our Savior places us where protection already exists. This is relational security—choosing daily to remain near, attentive, and ready to run beneath His covering.

This passage does not describe a feeling.
It describes a relational action.
A place we run to.
A place we remain.
A place where we are loved—and held—securely.

Where have you been standing—near the wings, or beneath them?
Today, choose nearness. Choose to remain where His precious lovingkindness already provides refuge… and be secure!

You may find the complete “Season of Psalms of Love’ series in the Resource Library