Psalms 83:3

Psalm 83:3 vividly describes the malicious intent of those who oppose God's chosen. This verse captures a moment of intense spiritual and national peril, as enemies conspire with cunning against the Lord's own.

Context of Psalm 83:3

Psalm 83 is a communal lament and prayer for deliverance, likely composed during a time when Israel faced a formidable confederacy of hostile nations. The psalmist, Asaph, cries out to God, detailing the enemies' plans to destroy Israel and wipe out their name. Verses 1 and 2 set the scene with an urgent plea for God to act against the tumultuous foes. Verse 3 specifically highlights the strategic and deceptive nature of their plots. The subsequent verses (Psalm 83:4-8) even name the specific nations involved in this ancient conspiracy, underscoring the real and imminent threat to God's covenant people.

Key Themes and Messages

• Crafty Conspiracy: The verse emphasizes the deliberate and insidious nature of the enemies' plans. They are not merely acting out of impulse but are engaged in "crafty counsel" and "consulted" action, indicating premeditated malice and a desire to dismantle God's purposes.
• Targeting God's People: The primary target of this conspiracy is "thy people," referring to Israel, the nation chosen by God to bear His name and purposes on earth. This highlights that opposition to God's people is ultimately opposition to God Himself.
• The "Hidden Ones": This evocative phrase, "thy hidden ones," speaks to God's profound care and intimate knowledge of His own. It suggests that those who belong to God are precious and protected, perhaps even set apart or concealed in His divine care, even when they appear vulnerable to human eyes. It implies a special relationship where God Himself guards their existence and identity, similar to how a treasure might be hidden for safekeeping.
• Divine Awareness: Despite the enemies' secret plotting, the psalmist knows that God is fully aware of their every move. The prayer itself is an appeal to God's justice and omnipotence, trusting that He sees the hidden schemes and will ultimately intervene.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase translated "crafty counsel" is a combination of sod (secret counsel, intimate group, conspiracy) and 'aram (to be cunning, shrewd, subtle). This emphasizes the secretive and deceptive nature of the enemies' deliberations. The term "hidden ones" comes from the Hebrew tsephunim (צְפוּנִים), which literally means "hidden," "concealed," or "treasured." This term conveys a sense of preciousness and protection, suggesting that God's people are not just His possession, but His valued and carefully guarded treasure, similar to the concept of God's people being His "jewels" or "special treasure" in other scriptures.

Related Scriptures

The concept of enemies conspiring against God's anointed or His people is a recurring theme throughout scripture. For instance, Psalm 2:2 speaks of kings setting themselves against the Lord and His Anointed. The assurance that God protects His own, even His "hidden ones," resonates with the promise in Psalm 91:1 about dwelling in the secret place of the Most High. Furthermore, the idea of God's people being specially chosen and cared for is foundational, as seen in Deuteronomy 7:6, where Israel is called a holy people unto the Lord.

Practical Application

For believers today, Psalm 83:3 offers both a warning and an assurance. We are reminded that spiritual opposition and "crafty counsel" against God's purposes and His people are not new. Just as ancient Israel faced conspiracies, Christians may encounter opposition, deception, or subtle schemes from the world, the flesh, or the enemy. However, the verse also provides immense comfort: we are God's "hidden ones." This signifies that we are not forgotten or left exposed. God knows us intimately, values us highly, and is actively involved in our protection and preservation. Our security is not based on our visibility or strength, but on God's unwavering faithfulness and His sovereign hand. It encourages us to trust in His unseen protection and to continue to seek His counsel, knowing that He sees and knows every plot against us, and He is able to equip us to stand firm.