Wings

 

There are references to wings all through the Bible.

A songwriter named Bob Ferguson wrote a song in 1958; the chorus went like this,

If I had the wings of a dove
If I had the wings of a dove
Well, I would fly, fly away, fly away
And be at rest

Some of you might remember this catchy chorus but did you know that these words are in the Bible? 

These words were taken from Psalm 55, a psalm King David wrote while experiencing a wave of anguish because of the betrayal of his most trusted advisor, Ahithophel, who joined forces with Absalom to revolt against his father David, which is a whole other sordid story for another day.

The king wrote,

Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest (v 6 NIV)

Other references to wings can be found in Psalm 36:7 (NIV),

How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.

And the all too familiar Psalm 91:4 states,

He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge;

In Deuteronomy 32:11, Moses assures the Israelites of God’s care,

He shielded him and cared for him…like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, that spreads its wings to catch them and carries them aloft. (NIV)

When Ruth went to the threshing floor, Boaz asked, “Who are you?” She said, “I am Ruth, your servant girl. Spread your cover [or the corner of your garment; or your wings] over me…” (Ruth 3:9 EXB)

And before that in chapter 2, verse 12, Boaz had said to her,

May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge. (NIV)

These verses barely touch the proverbial tip of the iceberg when it comes to wings related references. You would notice that they’re mostly referring to protection, that’s what wings symbolize in most of Scripture.

Psalm 18:10 and 139:9 describe the wind and the dawn as having wings to demonstrate God’s swiftness and accessibility.

But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings – Malachi 4:2 (ESV)

Malachi delivered this messianic prophecy; it’s a play on words foretelling the promise of healing of the faithful.

Then [And look/behold,] a woman who had been bleeding for twelve years [probably a chronic menstrual disorder] came behind Jesus and touched the edge [or tassels see Numbers 15:38-39] of his coat [cloak; garment] – Matthew 9:20 (EXB)

This woman whose faith made her well, would have touched the tassels of Jesus’ outer garment which, according to Numbers 15:38-39, were placed on the corner of your garment; or your wings, like Boaz’s garment in Ruth 3:9.

It is interesting to note that the Hebrew word “kanaph” meaning “corner” and “wing”, is used in both Malachi 4:2 and Matthew 9:20. There’s healing in those wings!

Jesus, grieving over Jerusalem, lamented,

Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. – Matthew 23:37 (NIV)

Beloved, these are but a few instances of wings contained in the Bible; there are many more references to wings, some are literal, but most are figurative.

So, when you read the Bible and you come across the word wings, research for yourself what it means in context, that you may have a better understanding of the Word.

Here’s one more,

those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. – Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “Wings” © 2026 October 19, 2026