The Meaning of Psalms 31:20 Explained

Psalms 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.

YLT: Thou hast wrought for those trusting in Thee, Before sons of men. Thou hidest them in the secret place of Thy presence, From artifices of man, Thou concealest them in a tabernacle, From the strife of tongues.

Darby: Thou keepest them concealed in the secret of thy presence from the conspiracies of man; thou hidest them in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.

ASV: In the covert of thy presence wilt thou hide them from the plottings of man: Thou wilt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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. 

What does Psalms 31:20 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalms 31:14-24 - Jehovah Preserveth The Faithful
What a change ensues in the spirit of our life when we look from men and things to God! Do not look at God through circumstances, but at circumstances through God's environing presence, as through a golden haze. Our Lord's times were in the hands of the Father, and He would not move an inch until the clock had struck in heaven, John 2:4; John 7:6; John 7:8; John 7:30; John 8:20.
As God hath laid up coal and ore in the earth; and as explorers in Arctic regions deposit provisions in cairns, that those who follow in their steps, or they themselves returning, may be supplied on their march, so unsearchable riches are stored in Christ awaiting our appropriation, 2 Peter 1:3.
What a hiding-place is the secret of His presence! Have you ever been inside that royal withdrawing-room? God's pavilion is sound-tight; the strife of tongues cannot penetrate. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalms 31

1  David, showing his confidence in God, craves his help
7  He rejoices in his mercy
9  He prays in his calamity
19  He praises God for his goodness

What do the individual words in Psalms 31:20 mean?

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
תַּסְתִּירֵ֤ם ׀ בְּסֵ֥תֶר פָּנֶיךָ֮ מֵֽרֻכְסֵ֫י אִ֥ישׁ תִּצְפְּנֵ֥ם בְּסֻכָּ֗ה מֵרִ֥יב לְשֹׁנֽוֹת

תַּסְתִּירֵ֤ם ׀  You  shall  hide  them 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperfect, second person masculine singular, third person masculine plural
Root: סָתַר  
Sense: to hide, conceal.
בְּסֵ֥תֶר  in  the  secret  place 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: סֵתֶר 
Sense: covering, shelter, hiding place, secrecy.
פָּנֶיךָ֮  of  Your  presence 
Parse: Noun, common plural construct, second person masculine singular
Root: לִפְנֵי 
Sense: face.
מֵֽרֻכְסֵ֫י  from  the  plots 
Parse: Preposition-m, Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: רֹכֶס  
Sense: snares, plots, band, league, conspiracy.
אִ֥ישׁ  of  man 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: אִישׁ 
Sense: man.
תִּצְפְּנֵ֥ם  You  shall  keep  them  secretly 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, second person masculine singular, third person masculine plural
Root: צָפַן 
Sense: to hide, treasure, treasure or store up.
בְּסֻכָּ֗ה  in  a  pavilion 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, feminine singular
Root: סֻכָּה  
Sense: thicket, covert, booth.
מֵרִ֥יב  from  the  strife 
Parse: Preposition-m, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: רִיב 
Sense: strife, controversy, dispute.
לְשֹׁנֽוֹת  of  tongues 
Parse: Noun, common plural
Root: לָשֹׁון  
Sense: tongue.