What Does Psalms 31:20 Mean?

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. God's protective care using imagery of hiddenness and security—secret place of God's presence provides refuge from human pride and verbal assault. This comforts believers facing opposition by emphasizing God's sheltering power.

Thou shalt hide them (Hebrew sathar—conceal, protect by covering, hide safely) is not hiding in fear but being hidden by protector—like parent shielding child. God actively conceals His people from harm. Verb's future tense provides confident assurance: God will do this; His protection is certain.

In the secret of thy presence (Hebrew sether panim—covering/hiding place of Your face) combines hiddenness with presence paradoxically. God's people are simultaneously hidden from enemies and manifest to God. Concealed within God's presence itself—safest location imaginable. No enemy can reach those sheltered in God's own presence.

From the pride of man identifies threat. Pride (rekec) means schemes, conspiracies, arrogant plots. Human pride, regardless of power, cannot penetrate God's hiding place. Echoes Psalm 2—nations' conspiracies are futile before God's sovereignty.

Thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion (sukkah—shelter, booth, covering) introduces second imagery. Keep (tsaphan) is same word from verse 19 (laid up). From the strife of tongues identifies another threat—verbal assault. Slander, lies, accusations cannot harm those sheltered in God's pavilion. Where lying lips (v. 18) attacked, God's presence defends.