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20 You hide them with you, where they are safe from the attacks[a] of men;[b]
you conceal them in a shelter, where they are safe from slanderous attacks.[c]
21 The Lord deserves praise[d]
for he demonstrated his amazing faithfulness to me when I was besieged by enemies.[e]
22 I jumped to conclusions and said,[f]
“I am cut off from your presence!”[g]
But you heard my plea for mercy when I cried out to you for help.

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 31:20 tn The noun רֹכֶס (rokhes) occurs only here. Its meaning is debated; some suggest “snare,” while others propose “slander” or “conspiracy.”
  2. Psalm 31:20 tn Heb “you hide them in the hiding place of your face from the attacks of man.” The imperfect verbal forms in this verse draw attention to God’s typical treatment of the faithful.
  3. Psalm 31:20 tn Heb “you conceal them in a shelter from the strife of tongues.”
  4. Psalm 31:21 tn Heb “blessed [be] the Lord.”
  5. Psalm 31:21 tn Heb “for he caused his faithfulness to be amazing to me in a besieged city.” The psalmist probably speaks figuratively here. He compares his crisis to being trapped in a besieged city, but the Lord answered his prayer for help. Verses 19-24 were apparently written after the Lord answered the prayer of vv. 1-18.
  6. Psalm 31:22 tn Heb “and I, I said in my haste.”
  7. Psalm 31:22 tn Heb “from before your eyes.”