Almighty God is a shelter, a covering, a cakak, (pronounced sah-hack’), so the psalmist tells us. Let’s consider what it means that the Great I-Am is our protective shield. This word for “shelter” is cakak,  a woven screen or a hedge. The Hebrew word is used to describe a covering similar to cherubim’s wings overshadowing the arc of the covenant, protective headgear during battle (Ps. 140:7), or the wing feathers from a mother eagle protecting her young. (Ps. 91:4)In our contemporary lives, what are God’s purposes for this marvelous cakak?  As we simply look at where the word is used in Scripture, we see that this covering protects the Law within us,  defends our head during battles, and gives us coverage during our fledgling efforts at growing in the LORD.But there is more:    His cakak makes me right with God.  My sinfulness cannot enter the presence of the HOLY ONE. So God has to protect me from His holiness with His cakak or else my sinful self would be burned up by His Pure Fire.  To understand this concept of protection, watch how the LORD protects and favors Moses with his cakak.  (Ex. 33:19 -22).  Jesus, the Lamb of God, is the fulfillment of God’s cakak, the act of redemption, the final acceptance.At a more personal level, this hedge provides me protection during private cleansing. Cakak is used in Scripture as a euphemism for going to the toilet. Cakak is the same word as to “close the bathroom door on someone who is defecating.”  God’s screen keeps that primitive and most intimate act closed to all but for God’s eyes only.  Because of His divine screen, God’s special bathroom door, this cakak, God alone sees waste pass through me.  (Judges 3:24, 1 Sam 24:3).  God cleanses me. (1John 1:9)God’s hedge shelters me as He is working out the details of His covenant. God says, “I will do marvels, wonders and miracles, such as have not been wrought or created in all the earth, and you shall see my work, the work of the LORD.  It is a terrible thing, fearful, and full of awe that I will do with you and for you.”  (Ex. 34:10)The cakak is like a seal God places over me so I can hear Him, rest in Him and enjoy His presence. I picture being enshrouded in a specialized telephone booth, God Himself. Perhaps even my face will become radiant like Moses’.  (Ex. 34:6; 14, 29)When the Israelites were making their way to the Promise Land, the protective presence of God was seen as a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. The cakak distinguished the Israelites as God’s Chosen People.  On my life’s journey, the Lord’s cakak brands me as one of His people.  God’s presence upon me and around me, this holy anointing in the New Testament sense, is a sign of God’s presence.  It confirms that I am separated out as a child of God.  (Ex. 33:16; Ex. 34:10)After I studied this concept of cakak, the psalmist’s concluding words in Psalm 5 rang in my heart:  “Let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy.  Spread your protection over them, SO THAT that those who love your name may rejoice in you. Surely, LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.”   Beloved Father, thank you for being my cakak!