Psalms 31:20

“Thou shall hide them in the secret of thy presence, etc.] That is, those that fear the Lord and trust in him; and therefore they are called his “hidden ones”, (<198303>Psalm 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 <232620>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 <199101>Psalm 91:1); and that “from the pride of man”, which otherwise would at once oppress, bear them down, and destroy them, (<19C401>Psalm 124:1-5);…”

“the secret of thy presence--or, covering of Thy countenance; the protection He thus affords; compare Psa 27:5 for a similar figure; "dwelling" used there for "presence" here. The idea of security further presented by the figure of a tent and a fortified city [Psa 31:21].”

“Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence - See the notes at Psalms 27:5. The phrase “secret of thy presence” means thy “secret presence.” The Hebrew is: “the secret of thy face;” and the idea is, that He would hide them, or withdraw them from public view, or from the view of their enemies, into the very place where He Himself dwelt, so that they would be before Him and near Him; so that His eye would be upon them, and that they would be certain of His protection. The language here is the same as in Psalms 27:5, except that the word “face” or “presence” is used here instead of the word “tabernacle.” The idea is the same. From the pride of man - The Hebrew word here rendered “pride”…”

“The secret - Or, as in the secret of thy presence: either, As if they were in thy presence chamber, where thine own eye and hand girdeth them, from all the assaults of their enemies; called his secret, partly, because the greatest part of the world are strangers to God and his presence: and partly, because it is a safe and secure place, such as secret and unknown places are. Or, As if they were in the secret of God's tabernacle, as it is called, Psa 27:5, the place of God's special presence, where none might enter save the high - priest. With thy secret favour and providence, which saves them by hidden and unknown methods. From - From their vain - glorious boasting and threats, and from…”

“hide: Psa 27:5, Psa 32:7, Psa 64:2, Psa 91:1-4 from: Psa 10:2, Psa 36:11, Psa 40:4, Psa 86:14, Psa 124:5, Psa 140:5; Exo 18:11; Jam 4:6 the strife: Psa 64:2-4, Psa 140:3; Job 5:21; Rom 13:13; Co2 12:20; Gal 5:20; Ti1 6:4; Jam 3:5, Jam 3:6, Jam 3:14-16 Psalms 31:21”