Psalms 31:20

20 Thou shalt hide them in the safety of Thy presence from the pride of man; Thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of 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 the lying lips be put to silence, which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.
19 O how great is Thy goodness which Thou hast laid up for them that fear Thee, which Thou hast wrought for them that trust in Thee before the sons of men!
20 Thou shalt hide them in the safety of Thy presence from the pride of man; Thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.
21 Blessed be the LORD, for He hath shown me His marvelous kindness in a stronghold city!
22 For I said in my haste, "I am cut off from before Thine eyes!" Nevertheless Thou heard the voice of my supplications when I cried unto Thee.
Third Millennium Bible (TMB), New Authorized Version, Copyright 1998 by Deuel Enterprises, Inc., Gary, SD 57237. All rights reserved.