John Gill's Exposition on Psalms 31:20

A historical reference excerpt for this verse. Read it alongside the biblical text and other available sources.

Exposition of the Old and New Testament
John Gill (1697–1771) · 18th-century historical commentary
Source: BibleWord.ai's local reference edition of this named work.

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); thou shall keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues; which areas a sharp sword, and from whence proceed devouring words, such contradiction of sinners as Christ endured; not that the saints are kept free from the reproaches of men, from the lash of their tongues, but from being harmed by them; and sometimes, through the strivings and contentions of men with one another, they privately escape and are preserved, as the Apostle Paul was, (<442309>Acts 23:9,10).

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