I’m not sure how widely known is the expression, ‘like a shag on a rock’, but it was familiar to me growing up. It was used mainly in times of abandonment, when others pulled out of a cause they had committed to. “Thanks for leaving me like a shag on a rock” was the protest and lament. The shag is a sea-bird, and the expression derives from the scene of a lonely creature standing by itself on a cold rock, shivering and alone.

What a different picture is painted in the Scriptures, especially in that 61st Psalm: ‘Hear my cry, O God. Listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you – I call as my heart grows faint: Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe.’ David, who wrote the Psalm, is evidently wearied and troubled by something, but rather than slump into despair, prays for help to be led to a place that is solid and safe.

When it is also remembered that the Book identifies the Rock as Christ – in Paul’s allusion to God’s provision of water in the wilderness during the exodus journey – that section from Psalm 61 becomes exceedingly precious. For the picture it paints is not some lonely seabird on a lonely rock, but a child-of-God in the strong arms of a strong Saviour: safe on solid ground, and provisioned by streams of grace.