Psalms 25:14

The secret of the Lord [is] with them that fear him,.... The secret of his purposes with them; as his purpose according to election; his resolution to redeem his chosen ones by his Son; his design to

The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant. The secret of the Lord.

The secret of the Lord; either, 1. His word and counsel, to direct and guide them in the right way, which he oft mentions here as a singular blessing, ,9,12, to show them their duty in all conditions, and the way to their eternal salvation. And so this may seem to be explained by the following words, he will show them his covenant. And this, though it was revealed, yet might be called a secret, because of the many and deep mysteries in it, and because it is said to be hid from many of them to whom it was revealed, 4:3; and it is not to be understood to any purpose without the illumination of their minds by God’ s Spirit, as is manifest from ,19, and many other places of Scripture. Or rather, 2. His love and favour, which is called his secret, , and that very fitly, because it is known to none but him that enjoyeth it, . Or his gracious and fatherly providence, which is here said to be with them; or, as it is in the Hebrew, towards them, taking care of them, and working for them; even then when God seems to frown upon them. He will show them his covenant, or, and he will make them to know (for the infinitive is here thought to be put for the future tense of the indicative, as it is ,15,18 Hosea 9:13 12:3) his covenant, i.e. he will make them clearly to understand it, both its duties or conditions, and its blessings or privileges; neither of which ungodly men rightly understand. Or, he will make them to know it by experience, or by God’ s making it good to them; as, on the contrary, God threatens to make ungodly men to know his breach of promise, . Or, as it is in the margin of our Bibles, and his covenant (is, i.e. he hath engaged himself by his promise or covenant) to make them know it, to wit, his secret, i.e. that he will manifest either his word or his favour to them.

Psalms 25:14 The secret of the LORD [is] with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.Ver. 14. The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him] It is neither learning nor labour that can give insight into God’ s secrets, those Arcana imperii, Matthew 13:12, the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, "the mind of Christ," 1 Corinthians 2:16; these things come by revelation rather than discourse of reason, and must therefore be obtained by prayer. Those that diligently seek him shall be of his cabinet council, shall know his soul secrets, and be admitted into a gracious familiarity and friendship: John 15:15, "Hence forth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his Lord doth: but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known to you." And he will show them his covenant] As having no greater secret to impart to them, than by showing them the covenant of grace, his good pleasure and purpose of their eternal salvation; to make them "know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that they may be filled with all the fulness of God," Ephesians 3:19. The Jews bragged much of God’ s covenant, but here they are given to understand, that only such as fear God are covenanters. Acts 13:16, "Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience."

(14) Secret.—Rather, familiar intercourse (so Symmachus). The Hebrew word primarily means couch, and then the confidential talk of those sitting on it. In Jeremiah 6:11; Jeremiah 15:17, the word is rendered “assembly.” The English word board offers a direct analogy. The word divan seems to have had a history exactly the reverse. (Comp. Psalms 55:14, “sweet counsel.”) And he will shew them his covenant.—Literally, and his covenant to make them know. This is closely parallel with the preceding clause. The communion enjoyed by the pious is the highest covenant privilege.

Verse 14. The secret of the Lord is with them] טוד sod, the secret assembly of the Lord is with them that fear him; many of them have a Church in their own house. He will show them his covenant.] He will let them see how great blessings he has provided for them that love him. Some refer this to the covenant of redemption by Christ Jesus.

14. Mysterious spiritual blessings await him too. To those who fear Him Jehovah reveals His secret counsel. Cp. Proverbs 3:32; Psalms 111:10; Proverbs 1:7; Matthew 11:25. For secret R.V. marg. gives alternatives counsel or friendship, ideas included in the word, which denotes the confidential intercourse of intimate fellowship. For examples see Genesis 18:17; Amos 3:7. and he will shew them] Lit. make them to know (as in Psalms 25:4), to experience, in ever fuller and deeper measure, the meaning and blessedness of His covenant. We may also render, and his covenant is to give them knowledge.

The secret of the Lord - On the word here rendered “secret,” see the notes at Job 15:8.

14. Secret of the Lord—The secret counsel of the Lord. See Genesis 18:17-19; and compare John 15:15.