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(2) The shadow of a cloud from the heat (Isa. 25:4,5).
(3) `The shadow of a great rock in a weary land' (Isa. 32:2).
(4) The shadow of the LORD's hand (Isa. 51:16).
Those of us who know our calling and election, and something
of the `secret place of the Most High', need nothing more during
life's pilgrimage, than the shadow of His hand, to preserve us
until travelling days are done.
9.
`The name of the God of Jacob defend thee' (Psa. 20:1) .
The word `defence' is one that has been much in use in recent
times, and assurances have been given from time to time as to
the adequacy, the readiness, and the quality of the nation's
defences. So too, in Scripture, we find that not only is God the
Refuge of His people, but He is also their Defence.
In Psalm 7:10, where we read: `My defence is of God', the
Psalmist uses the word magen, `a shield', but in most passages
in the Psalms the word is misgab, `a high place'. It is to this that
the Psalmist refers when he says: `The name of the God of Jacob
defend thee' (Psa. 20:1). The verb here, which supplies us with
the noun misgab, is sagab, and this must be included in our
study if we are to appreciate the nature of the `defence' that we
may find in the Lord.
The primary meaning of sagab is `to lift up', then `to be
exalted', `to be placed on high', `to be lofty'. In Psalm 148:13
we read: `His name is excellent' (or more literally, `His name is
most high') while in Isaiah 2:11 sagab is used of the Lord, Who