Psalms 31:20

20 In the shelter of your presence you hide them from all human intrigues; you keep them safe in your dwelling from accusing tongues.

Psalms 31:20 in Other Translations

KJV
20 Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.
ESV
20 In the cover of your presence you hide them from the plots of men; you store them in your shelter from the strife of tongues.
NLT
20 You hide them in the shelter of your presence, safe from those who conspire against them. You shelter them in your presence, far from accusing tongues.
MSG
20 You hide them safely away from the opposition. As you slam the door on those oily, mocking faces, you silence the poisonous gossip.
CSB
20 You hide them in the protection of Your presence; You conceal them in a shelter from the schemes of men, from quarrelsome tongues.

Psalms 31:20 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 31:20

Thou shall hide them in the secret of thy presence
That is, those that fear the Lord and trust in him; and therefore they are called his "hidden ones", ( Psalms 83:3 ) ; these the Lord preserves in times of trouble and danger, and when his indignation is out against others; and so the Targum is, "in the time of thine anger"; see ( Isaiah 26:20 ) ; the presence of God is their protection, he himself is a wall of fire round about them, his favour compasses them as a shield, and they are kept as in a garrison by his power; see ( Psalms 91:1 ) ; and that "from the pride of man", which otherwise would at once oppress, bear them down, and destroy them, ( Psalms 124:1-5 ) ;

thou shall keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of
tongues;
which areas a sharp sword, and from whence proceed devouring words, such contradiction of sinners as Christ endured; not that the saints are kept free from the reproaches of men, from the lash of their tongues, but from being harmed by them; and sometimes, through the strivings and contentions of men with one another, they privately escape and are preserved, as the Apostle Paul was, ( Acts 23:9 Acts 23:10 ) .

Psalms 31:20 In-Context

18 Let their lying lips be silenced, for with pride and contempt they speak arrogantly against the righteous.
19 How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you.
20 In the shelter of your presence you hide them from all human intrigues; you keep them safe in your dwelling from accusing tongues.
21 Praise be to the LORD, for he showed me the wonders of his love when I was in a city under siege.
22 In my alarm I said, “I am cut off from your sight!” Yet you heard my cry for mercy when I called to you for help.

Cross References 3

  • 1. Psalms 55:8
  • 2. S Psalms 17:8; Psalms 27:5
  • 3. S Genesis 37:18; Job 5:21
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