Psalm 31 20

Psalm 31:20 kjv

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.

Psalm 31:20 nkjv

You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence From the plots of man; You shall keep them secretly in a pavilion From the strife of tongues.

Psalm 31:20 niv

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

Psalm 31:20 esv

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.

Psalm 31:20 nlt

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.

Psalm 31 verses

Psalm 31 20 Meaning

Psalm 31:20 reveals God's divine commitment to providing complete and intimate protection for His faithful ones. It pictures God actively hiding His people from the schemes and arrogance of human adversaries, sheltering them securely within His immediate presence. Furthermore, it asserts that He secretly preserves them from the destructive force of slander, accusation, and verbal attacks, confirming that true security is found only in the Lord.

Psalm 31 20 Context

Psalm 31 is a profound expression of David's anguish and distress, interwoven with an unwavering declaration of trust in Yahweh. David cries out from a position of severe suffering—physical weakness, emotional turmoil, abandonment by friends, and relentless pursuit by enemies. Verse 13 directly precedes verse 20, where David describes himself as a target of slander (שֵׁמַע - shema) and the object of plots by those who conspire against him, seeking his life.Against this backdrop of intense human malevolence, Psalm 31:20 stands as a triumphant statement of divine protection. It reassures David, and by extension, all who trust in God, that even amidst the gravest human threats—be it through malicious scheming ("plots of man") or venomous words ("strife of tongues")—God remains an unassailable sanctuary. The verse acts as a prophetic assertion of God's active, intimate, and secure preservation of His devoted servants, offering a strong counterpoint to the vulnerability experienced in verses leading up to it. This demonstrates the ultimate sovereignty of God over all human wickedness.

Psalm 31 20 Word analysis

• Thou shalt hide them / You hide them (תַּסְתִּירֵם - tastirem): The Hebrew verb is satar (סָתַר), in the Hiphil stem, which denotes causation. It means "to cause to hide" or "to conceal." This signifies God's active and intentional role in secreting away His people, not merely a passive retreat for the afflicted. It highlights His initiative in protection.
• in the secret of thy presence / in the cover of your presence (בְּסֵתֶר פָּנֶיךָ - bə·se·ṯer paneykha):
  • בְּסֵתֶר (bə·se·ṯer): "In the hiding place," "in the covert." It's derived from the same root as tastirem, emphasizing a place of deep concealment and security.
  • פָּנֶיךָ (paneykha): "Your face" or "Your presence." This imagery speaks to God's immediate, intimate, and manifest presence. It implies that being hidden by God's "face" means being directly enveloped in His glory, His light, and His watchful care, a place where no darkness or evil can penetrate. It is an extraordinary level of personal divine involvement.
• from the pride of man / from the plots of men (מֵרִכְסֵי אִישׁ - me·riḵ·sey ish):
  • מֵרִכְסֵי (me·riḵ·sey): The KJV's "pride" is a rendering of this less common Hebrew word, riksay, which more accurately translates as "plots," "intrigues," "conspiracies," or "malicious schemes." It conveys twisted or entangled malice. This points to the premeditated and deceitful nature of human wickedness.
  • אִישׁ (ish): "Man" or "men," referring to humanity. It indicates that the threats originate from human hostility and cunning. The combination emphasizes malicious human intent, often driven by arrogance or a twisted heart.
• thou shalt keep them secretly / you store them (תִּצְפְּנֵם - titzpənem): The verb is tsaphan (צָפַן), which means "to hide," "to store up," or "to treasure." This parallels satar but adds a nuance of treasuring or reserving, suggesting that those God protects are valuable to Him, and He safeguards them as one would a precious possession. It indicates a secure and reserved keeping.
• in a pavilion / in your shelter (בְּסֻכָּה - bə·suk·ka): "In a booth," "tabernacle," or "shelter." A sukkah traditionally refers to a temporary dwelling or a protective hut. In a divine context, it alludes to the protective presence of God, reminiscent of the Tabernacle where God's presence dwelled among Israel, or the sukkot (booths) for the Feast of Tabernacles, commemorating God's provision and shelter in the wilderness. It represents a secure, albeit divinely established, dwelling of refuge.
• from the strife of tongues (מֵרִיב לְשֹׁנוֹת - me·riḇ lᵊ·šō·nōṯ):
  • מֵרִיב (me·riḇ): "From the strife," "contention," "quarrel," or "dispute." It describes verbal conflict and accusation.
  • לְשֹׁנוֹת (lᵊ·šō·nōṯ): "Tongues." This refers to speech, words. The "strife of tongues" specifically points to malicious gossip, slander, false accusations, backbiting, and the destructive power of human words aimed at discrediting or harming the righteous.

Psalm 31 20 Bonus section

The doubling of protective verbs, satar ("hide") and tsaphan ("keep secretly/treasure"), emphasizes the thoroughness and certainty of God's safeguarding. This literary device reinforces the depth of His commitment and power to preserve His people from multiple angles of threat.The concept of God's "presence" (panim) being a secret place is highly significant. It transforms a spatial idea into a relational one, suggesting that true refuge is found not just in a physical location but in intimate fellowship and communion with the living God. To be hidden in His presence means being so close to God that all adversaries become external to this divine sanctuary, unable to penetrate the relationship.This verse highlights a key aspect of spiritual warfare, not merely against physical threats, but against the insidious power of words. It serves as a strong reminder that God actively intervenes against both tangible harm and the corrosive impact of defamation, which can be just as destructive to a person's life and testimony.

Psalm 31 20 Commentary

Psalm 31:20 is a glorious affirmation of God's active and comprehensive protection for those who take refuge in Him. It unveils a dual aspect of divine sanctuary: first, from the outward, insidious plots and conspiracies of hostile individuals, and second, from the inward, venomous attacks of slanderous speech. The imagery of being "hidden in the secret of His presence" and "kept secretly in a pavilion" paints a vivid picture of absolute security, emphasizing the immediacy and intimacy of God's protection. It’s not merely that God shields from a distance, but that He envelops His chosen ones within His very being. The word "secret" (Hebrew: seter) coupled with "face/presence" (Hebrew: panim) signifies that the believer is guarded by God's manifest glory and attention. The phrase "plots of men" highlights human arrogance and the sinister nature of their machinations, while "strife of tongues" speaks to the widespread and damaging power of malicious words, a persistent form of persecution against the righteous. This verse reminds believers that despite being vulnerable to earthly foes and verbal assaults, their true safety rests in their intimate relationship with the Almighty, whose watchful care surpasses any human malice or ingenuity. It inspires a confidence that enables the righteous to live without fear, knowing that their Defender is omnipotent and their refuge is inviolable.