God’s Hedge Around Us

Psalm 139:5 has been running through my mind all day. I looked it up in various translations and here’s what I found:

You have hedged me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me. (NKJV)

You hem me in – behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. (NIV 1984)

You have enclosed me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me. (NASB)

You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. (NLT)

I look behind me and you’re there, then up ahead and you’re there, too—your reassuring presence, coming and going. (MSG)

All the versions have the same underlying meaning (obviously!). God hems us in – surrounds, encloses and places a hedge around us. He protects us.

When I think about the things I fear, this verse comes to my rescue. God has hemmed me in – behind and before. He has placed a hedge of protection around my family.

According to the Geneva Study Bible, this verse also implies:

You so guide me with your hand, that I can turn no way, but where you appoint me.

I love knowing that God’s hand is always around me, nudging me to move in the direction He has planned for me.

What is our responsibility in all this?

• Simply trust that God has hedged us in.
• Stay connected with God, so we can feel His nudging.
• Live in such a way that we do not leave the gate wide open for evil to enter.

If you feel vulnerable and unprotected today, pray. Ask God to cover you with His arms and protect you from what you fear. And then, rest in the assurance that God is in the business of mending fences, no matter how mangled.

Photo Credit: BFS Man

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