What does Psalm 63:7 mean?

David's meditations (Psalm 63:6) carried him back to thoughts of God's past intervention on his behalf. The Lord rescued David from perilous situations (Psalm 18:17; 34:4). This history gave David confidence to trust in God despite new dangers (Psalm 63:1–4). David has explained how his experiences have made communion with God as vital as eating or drinking (Psalm 63:5–6).

Phrases such as "shadow of your wings" or "shelter under your wings" evoke the image of a mother bird. In blazing sun, rain, wind, or with lurking predators, birds will spread their wings over their young. In the Bible, this imagery is a common reference to protection for those who trust in the Lord (Psalm 17:8; 36:7; Matthew 23:37).

Earlier in the psalm, David also made references to God's glory and places of worship (Psalm 63:2). This reference to wings also hints at the shape of the ark of the covenant. Cherubim spread their wings over the ark's mercy seat: the ark's lid (Exodus 25:10–22). The tablets of commandments were kept in the ark to remind the Israelites about God's covenant with them, which included His law. This would also serve to remind the Israelites of their own sin. Once a year Israel's high priest would sprinkle blood on the mercy seat, symbolizing a covering which came between the gaze of a holy God and the sin of His people. Ultimately, Jesus shed His blood to provide forgiveness and reconciliation to God. Hebrews 10:12 says, "When Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God." David felt that God's wings sheltered him and caused him to sing joyfully. All believers are sheltered under God's wings, and they ought to sing joyfully because of this protection.