Psalms 83:3-4
They lay crafty plans against your people; they consult together against your treasured ones. They say, “Come, let us wipe them out as a nation; let the name of Israel be remembered no more!”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Notice the term "hidden ones." While it refers to God's people, it's not just about them being hard to find; it emphasizes their security because they are hidden by God, dwelling in His secret presence and under His protective care. Their enemies' plots against these "hidden ones" highlight the profound folly of attacking those whom God Himself shelters.
This psalm begins with a desperate cry to God, revealing a coalition of nations plotting against His chosen people. These enemies aren't just openly attacking; they're engaging in secret, cunning schemes to destroy Israel, described here as God's "hidden ones" – those under His special protection and care. The verse sets the stage for a powerful plea for divine intervention against a formidable and deceitful alliance.
Ever feel like the world is plotting against what you hold dear? This verse speaks to that very tension, showing how enemies devise malicious plans.
The enemies in Psalm 83 don't just stumble into conflict; they actively "take crafty counsel." This means they assemble, strategize, and form deliberate, cunning schemes. It's not an accidental opposition but a calculated one, aimed at undermining God's chosen people. This highlights a spiritual reality: the forces against God's purposes often operate with intentional malice and strategic planning, trying to outwit divine will.
Who are these 'hidden ones' that enemies conspire against? The answer reveals God's deep affection and protective care.
The phrase 'your hidden ones' (or 'your concealed ones') doesn't imply they are unknown to God. Far from it! It speaks to how God cherishes and protects His people. They are hidden by Him, under the 'shadow of his wings' or in the 'secret of his presence.' This divine protection makes them incredibly precious, like hidden treasure. The enemies' plot against them is not just an attack on people, but an assault on those whom God Himself has secured and holds dear.
Understand the original words
am · Hebrew Noun
Refers to the covenant community of God, set apart from the nations to be His witnesses and possessors of His promises. They are the object of divine care and the target of spiritual and physical opposition.
tsaphan · Hebrew Verb/Participle
Something hidden, protected, or highly valued. In Scripture, it describes the special, intimate relationship between God and His people, whom He treats as His most valuable possession.
goy · Hebrew Noun
A corporate political entity defined by common ancestry, law, and territory. In the context of Israel, it is the identity through which God manifests His kingdom on earth.
shem · Hebrew Noun
Psalm 83 describes a coalition of nations plotting against God's people, likely referencing the existential threat faced by Judah from surrounding enemies, particularly during the Assyrian invasions of the late 8th century BC. This context highlights the psalm's plea for divine intervention against a formidable, unified opposition.
c. 975 BC
Division of the Kingdom
Following the death of King Solomon, the united kingdom of Israel splits into two: the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah.
c. 874-853 BC
Reign of Ahab and Jezebel
The Northern Kingdom of Israel is ruled by King Ahab and his Phoenician wife Jezebel, who promote Baal worship and persecute prophets of Yahweh.
c. 734-732 BC
Syro-Ephraimite War
The kings of Aram-Damascus and Israel attempt to force Judah into an anti-Assyrian alliance, besieging Jerusalem. King Ahaz of Judah appeals to Assyria for help.
722 BC
Fall of Samaria
The Assyrian Empire conquers the Northern Kingdom of Israel, destroying its capital Samaria and deporting a significant portion of its population.
This passage describes God as a refuge where His people are hidden in times of trouble, directly paralleling the concept of 'hidden ones' being protected by God's presence from their enemies' plots.
Exodus 19:5God declares Israel to be His 'treasured possession,' a concept that resonates with 'hidden ones' in Psalm 83:3, highlighting their special status and God's protective care over them.
Jeremiah 29:11This verse reveals God's plans for His people, which are for welfare and not for evil, giving them a future and a hope, mirroring the divine intention behind protecting His 'hidden ones' from malicious counsel.
Matthew 10:16Jesus warns His disciples that they will be sent out like sheep among wolves, advising them to be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves, reflecting the 'crafty counsel' of enemies against God's people and the need for wisdom.
Psalm 31:20This Psalm speaks of God hiding His people in the 'shelter of his presence' from the plots of human adversaries, directly illustrating the divine protection afforded to the 'hidden ones' mentioned in Psalm 83:3.
clarkePsalms 83:3: "They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones."
Consulted against thy hidden ones - צפוניך tsephuneycha, Thy hidden things; places; persons. "The hidden things in thy treasures." - Chaldee. "Thy holy ones." - Syriac. "Thy saints." - Vulgate and Septuagint; and so the Ethiopic and Arabic. The people of Israel are probably meant. Or perhaps the temple, the ark, and the treasures of the temple, are intended.
pulpitPsalms 83:3: "They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones."
Verse 3. - They have taken crafty counsel against thy people. Such a widespread confederacy as that described below (vers. 6-8) cannot have been formed without much secret consultation and plotting. And consulted against thy hidden ones; i.e. "those whom thou hidest in the covert of thy presence from the plottings of man" (Psalm 31:20, Revised Version: comp. Psalm 27:5).
Notice the term "hidden ones." While it refers to God's people, it's not just about them being hard to find; it emphasizes their security because they are hidden by God, dwelling in His secret presence and under His protective care. Their enemies' plots against these "hidden ones" highlight the profound folly of attacking those whom God Himself shelters.
This psalm begins with a desperate cry to God, revealing a coalition of nations plotting against His chosen people. These enemies aren't just openly attacking; they're engaging in secret, cunning schemes to destroy Israel, described here as God's "hidden ones" – those under His special protection and care. The verse sets the stage for a powerful plea for divine intervention against a formidable and deceitful alliance.
This psalm begins with a desperate cry to God, revealing a coalition of nations plotting against His chosen people. These enemies aren't just openly attacking; they're engaging in secret, cunning schemes to destroy Israel, described here as God's "hidden ones" – those under His special protection and care. The verse sets the stage for a powerful plea for divine intervention against a formidable and deceitful alliance.
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The historical and spiritual identity of God’s covenant people. To destroy the "name" is to attempt to erase their existence and the memory of God’s work through them from human history.
701 BC— this verse
Assyrian Invasion of Judah
Assyrian king Sennacherib invades Judah, conquering many cities and besieging Jerusalem. The city is miraculously spared, but Judah becomes an Assyrian vassal.
c. 605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Under Nebuchadnezzar II, the Babylonian Empire begins its conquest of Judah, initiating the first major deportation of Judeans, including nobles and skilled workers.
"They lay crafty plans against your people; they consult together against your treasured ones. They say, “Come, let us wipe them out as a nation; let the name of Israel be remembered no more!”" — Notice the term "hidden ones." While it refers to God's people, it's not just about them being hard to find; it emphasizes their security because they are hidden by God, dwelling in His secret pres…
