God’s people are called His "hidden ones" here, not because they are secretive, but because God Himself conceals and protects them in His presence. This highlights the enemy's folly in plotting against those who are safeguarded by the Almighty Himself.
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!” For they conspire with one accord; against you they make a covenant—
English Standard Version (ESV)
This psalm opens with a cry to God about a coalition of nations plotting destruction against His people, Israel. The psalmist describes these enemies as forming secret, cunning plans against God's chosen people, referred to here as his "hidden ones" or "treasured ones"—those whom God uniquely protects and cherishes. The immediate context reveals a profound sense of betrayal and vulnerability, as adversaries conspire with malicious intent against those God holds dear.
Have you ever felt like people are plotting behind your back? This verse reveals a deep-seated hostility against God's people, born not of open warfare, but of 'crafty counsel.'
The enemies in Psalm 83 aren't just angry; they're strategic. The Hebrew word used here suggests a deep, cunning, and often hidden plot.
Deliberate Deception
This highlights that spiritual opposition often operates with a sophisticated, deceptive agenda. It's not always overt, but can be a quiet, insidious campaign.
Who are these 'hidden ones' the psalm speaks of? They aren't invisible, but they possess a special security that infuriates their enemies.
The phrase 'your hidden ones' (or 'treasured ones') is incredibly rich. It points to God's people not just as targets, but as valuable possessions.
More Than Just Hidden
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This reveals a beautiful tension: enemies see vulnerable people, but God sees His secure, precious, beloved children. Their seeming vulnerability is actually their greatest defense because it's rooted in God's unwavering care.
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
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.
berit · Hebrew Noun
A solemn, binding agreement or treaty between parties. When made against God or His people, it represents a malicious, formal alliance designed to carry out evil intent.
This psalm likely arose during a time of intense regional conflict and conspiracy, possibly around the Assyrian invasions of Judah. The 'crafty counsel' and 'hidden ones' speak to a desperate situation where the people of God felt both targeted and divinely protected.
c. 9th century BC
Assyrian Empire's Height
The powerful Assyrian Empire was a dominant force in the Ancient Near East, frequently launching military campaigns and demanding tribute from surrounding nations, including Israel and Judah.
c. 8th century BC
Assyrian Captivity of Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquered the northern Kingdom of Israel and deported many of its people, scattering them and profoundly impacting the religious and political landscape.
c. 701 BC— this verse
Assyrian Invasion of Judah
Assyrian king Sennacherib invaded the southern Kingdom of Judah, capturing many cities and besieging Jerusalem. This event created widespread fear and reliance on God's deliverance.
c. 681-669 BC
Assyrian Reign of Esarhaddon
Following Sennacherib's reign, Esarhaddon continued Assyrian dominance, further consolidating power and influencing the region, though his grip was less absolute than his father's.
c. 626-609 BC
Rise of Neo-Babylonian Empire
The Babylonian Empire rose to challenge Assyrian power, eventually leading to the fall of Nineveh and a shift in regional dominance.
c. 586 BC
Babylonian Destruction of Jerusalem
The Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar II conquered Judah, destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple, and exiled a significant portion of the population to Babylon.
This passage speaks of God hiding his people in His 'shelter' or 'secret place' during times of trouble, directly echoing the idea of 'hidden ones' being under God's special protection.
Psalm 31:20Here, the psalmist declares that God 'hides' the righteous 'in the secret of your presence' from human schemes, mirroring the adversaries' 'crafty counsel' against God's 'hidden ones'.
Exodus 19:5God refers to Israel as His 'own possession' or 'peculiar treasure,' which aligns with the concept in Psalm 83:3 of Israel being 'hidden ones' due to their special relationship and God's protective care.
Colossians 3:3This New Testament passage states that believers' lives are 'hidden with Christ in God,' presenting a spiritual parallel to the ancient concept of God's people being secretly protected and secured by Him.
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).
God’s people are called His "hidden ones" here, not because they are secretive, but because God Himself conceals and protects them in His presence. This highlights the enemy's folly in plotting against those who are safeguarded by the Almighty Himself.
This psalm opens with a cry to God about a coalition of nations plotting destruction against His people, Israel. The psalmist describes these enemies as forming secret, cunning plans against God's chosen people, referred to here as his "hidden ones" or "treasured ones"—those whom God uniquely protects and cherishes. The immediate context reveals a profound sense of betrayal and vulnerability, as adversaries conspire with malicious intent against those God holds dear.
This psalm opens with a cry to God about a coalition of nations plotting destruction against His people, Israel. The psalmist describes these enemies as forming secret, cunning plans against God's chosen people, referred to here as his "hidden ones" or "treasured ones"—those whom God uniquely protects and cherishes. The immediate context reveals a profound sense of betrayal and vulnerability, as adversaries conspire with malicious intent against those God holds dear.
"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!” For they conspire with one acco…" — God’s people are called His "hidden ones" here, not because they are secretive, but because God Himself conceals and protects them in His presence. This highlights the enemy's folly in plotting again…
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Last reviewed October 2026
