For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; in the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock. (Psalm 27:5)
The Hebrew word translated as “hide” (צפן tzafon) is never used when speaking of something trivial but is almost always connected to something deemed to be of great value — i.e. treasure. For instance, a variation of this word (tzefunekha) is used in Psalm 83 to identify God’s people as “hidden ones” (KJV), “sheltered ones” (NKJV) and “treasured ones” (ESV). By using this word, David expresses the belief that God looks upon His own as His personal treasures and is bound to protect them — conceal them — from their enemies in the day of evil. Some commentators take note of the fact that David believed this, not only for himself, but for his descendants as well.
Years after his death, David’s infant descendant, Joash — the sole survivor of the Davidic line — was hidden from his evil grandmother, Ataliah. This woman ruthlessly murdered all other heirs to David’s throne and promptly made herself queen. Knowing the child was in grave danger, his aunt — a woman who happened to be the married to the High Priest –successfully hid him in a room within the Temple for six years until the time Joash could be declared as Judah’s rightful king. I find it interesting that the word translated as “His pavilion” is literally “His sukkah” or “His tabernacle.” In other words, David specified God’s House as the place in which he could find refuge. In essence, David predicted that his lineage and, in turn, the promise of an everlasting throne, would be safely concealed in God’s House in a day of great distress.
Whether David was thinking of himself, his posterity or both, the good news to us is that all who call upon the name of the LORD have access to the same guarantee of protection and provision. All who God considers as His treasured ones need not fear the enemy who comes against us. If need be, He will hide us; He will keep and preserve us in the day of adversity and guide us through the season of distress. Just as importantly, after the storm has passed, He will bring us out of hiding, so to speak, and establish us upon a rock that cannot be removed from beneath us. In consideration of His protection and provision, let us close with this thought composed by the sons of Korah: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear” (Psalm 46:1-2).
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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