Hide me under the shadow of thy wings— This is a figurative expression, say some, taken from hens, who with great carefulness hide their chickens under their wings to protect them from birds of prey: see Matthew 23:37. But it appears to me much more probable, that the idea is taken from the wings of the cherubim which overshadowed the mercy-seat. See Psalms 57; Psalms 1.
Related Commentaries of Psalms 17:8
Psalms 17:8
8 Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,