Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,
Keep me as the apple of the eye. This prayer rests on the East fact of history (Deuteronomy 32:10) 'The Lord kept him (Israel) as the apple of His eye.' The promise of God to Israel in prayer is found in Zechariah 2:8, "He that toucheth you, toucheth the apple of His eye." The apple is the pupil, the most tender part of the eye; literally, a little man, from the image formed on the retina х 'iyshown (H380)]; the part most carefully guarded from external attack.
Hide me under the shadow of thy wings. Image from a parent eagle (Deuteronomy 32:11) gathering her young under her wing to protect them from foes. The Lord Jesus would have so hidden Jerusalem, but that she would not (Matthew 23:37).