Psalms 31:20 Meaning: How God Hides You from the Strife of Tongues
In the shelter of your presence you will hide them from the plotting of man. You will keep them secretly in a dwelling away from the strife of tongues.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Meaning in one sentence
Psalm 31:20 shows God hiding His people in the secret of His presence, protecting them from human conspiracies and slanderous tongues.
Context
Psalm 31 is a cry from deep trouble that turns into a song of trust. David wrote it during a time when enemies plotted against him, when lies spread like fire and even his friends kept their distance. By verse 19 he can hardly hold back his wonder: God has laid up goodness for those who fear Him. Then comes this verse, the center of that wonder. David describes a kind of hiding that does not mean running away but being drawn into the very presence of God. The whole psalm has moved from desperate prayer to settled confidence, and here the confidence becomes a promise for everyone who takes refuge in the Lord.
Key Words
The phrase shelter of your presence carries more weight than we might feel at first. The word behind presence is the Hebrew word for face. To be hidden in the shelter of God’s face means you are brought into the light of His countenance, the place where His attention rests on you with love and protection. No darkness of conspiracy can reach you there.
The word translated hide or keep secretly is the same root used for a treasure stored away or a bird covered under wings. It is not the hiding of fear but the hiding of safe keeping. God does not tuck you out of sight because you are fragile. He treasures you.
And then there is strife of tongues. The Hebrew word for strife suggests a heated argument, a war of words. Slander, gossip, false accusation, these are the weapons David knew well. Being hidden in God’s presence does not stop people from talking. It stops their words from reaching the part of you that matters most.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions have found deep comfort in this verse. Matthew Henry described it as God hiding His people in His “presence chamber,” where His own eye and hand protect them. Wesley saw it as the secret favor and providence that saves by hidden and unknown methods. The Geneva Bible notes that God keeps His people secretly in His tabernacle, away from the strife of tongues. Calvin pointed to David as an example of confident faith for all believers. Some older interpreters read the whole Psalm as a picture of Christ, but most traditions agree that this promise belongs to everyone who fears the Lord and takes refuge in Him. The exact nature of the hiding, spiritual, emotional, or sometimes physical, is left open, but the certainty of God’s protection is what all hold to.
A common misunderstanding
Some read this verse as a promise that slander and conspiracy will never touch them. They expect God to remove every hurtful word and false accusation from their lives. In fact, the verse does not say God silences the tongues. It says He hides His people in His presence from the strife of tongues. The protection is not the absence of attack but the nearness of God. Their words may still reach your ears, but they cannot reach your soul when you are sheltered in the light of His face.
Living This Out
This week, you will likely hear words that sting. Someone may twist your intentions, spread a rumor, or criticize you behind your back. Your first instinct might be to defend yourself, to prove them wrong, or to withdraw in shame. This verse invites you to do something else: step into the shelter of God’s presence. That might mean a simple prayer in the moment: Lord, I am under attack by words. Hide me in the light of Your face. Then go about your day knowing that their words can only reach as far as your ears, not your heart. You do not need to fight back. You are already safe.
Main takeaway: God hides His people not by distance but by drawing them into the shelter of His own presence, where no word of man can touch the soul.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Think of a time you were scared and someone you love held you close. That is what this verse is about. When people say mean things, God holds you close so their words cannot hurt your heart.
For ages 9, 12
When people say untrue things about you or bully you with their words, it can make you feel alone and hurt. Psalm 31:20 says God hides you in the secret of His presence, like a fort made of light where their words cannot reach you. You do not have to fight back or hide in fear. You can run to God and let His love be your protection. He sees you, and His face is the safest place to be.
Questions People Ask
What does the 'secret of your presence' mean in Psalm 31:20?
The phrase refers to the very presence of God, literally His 'face' in Hebrew. It is a place of intimate nearness and protection, like being in the inner room of a king. Commentators describe it as the region of unapproachable light that emanates from God's presence. To be hidden there means no enemy can reach you because you are surrounded by God's own attention and care.
How does God hide us from the 'strife of tongues'?
The 'strife of tongues' means slander, gossip, and accusations. God does not necessarily stop people from speaking; rather, He hides us in His presence so that their words cannot harm our souls. When we are sheltered in the light of His face, the lies and criticisms lose their power over us. We find our identity and security in Him, not in what others say.
Why does the KJV say 'pride of man' instead of 'plotting of man'?
The Hebrew word 'rokes' occurs only once in the Old Testament. It can mean a conspiracy or league, but some translators understood it as pride. Most modern translations follow the idea of plotting or schemes. The KJV's 'pride' likely captures the arrogant spirit behind the conspiracies. Both readings point to the same threat: human opposition driven by arrogance.
Is this verse connected to Psalm 27:5?
Yes, the imagery is very similar. In Psalm 27:5 David says God will keep him secretly in His pavilion and hide him in the secret place of His tabernacle. Psalm 31:20 uses the same ideas but replaces 'tabernacle' with 'presence' (or face). The connection shows that David often thought of God's nearness as a safe shelter, a tent where he could be hidden from all danger.
For pastors & researchers
Hebrew interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study