They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones.

PSALMS 83:3KJV
Know the Bible

Psalms 83:3 (KJV)

What does Psalms 83:3 mean?

Psalms 83:3 describes how enemies of God’s people secretly plot together, using cunning plans against those whom God protects and treasures. The verse highlights both the hostility these enemies have and their deliberate, hidden strategies aimed at harming God’s chosen ones.

In this psalm, the writer Asaph is speaking to God about the nations that are conspiring against Israel. The phrase “thy hidden ones” refers to people under God’s special care, suggesting a sense of being sheltered or treasured by God. The verse sets the stage for the psalm’s larger theme: a plea for God to notice and respond to the threats facing His people.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 83:3

  • “crafty” (עָרַם, `aram): This word means to act shrewdly or with cunning. It emphasizes that the enemies are not just openly hostile, but are using clever, deceptive tactics.
  • “counsel” (סוֹד, sod): This word often means a secret plan or confidential discussion. Here, it points to the idea of a hidden alliance or conspiracy.
  • “people” (עַם, `am): This is a common word for a group or nation, but in this context, it clearly refers to God’s chosen people, Israel.
  • “consulted” (יָעַץ, ya`ats): This word means to deliberate or plan together. It adds to the sense that the enemies are working together in a coordinated effort.
  • “ones” (צָפַן, tsaphan): This word means “hidden” or “treasured.” Calling God’s people “hidden ones” suggests they are under God’s protection, even if they are the target of secret plots.

Why Psalms 83:3 matters

  • The verse clarifies that the opposition faced by God’s people is not just open aggression, but involves secretive, calculated planning, making the threat more serious.
  • By calling the people “hidden ones,” the psalmist emphasizes their special status and protection in God’s eyes, even when they are under threat.
  • This verse introduces the main concern of the psalm: the need for God’s intervention against enemies who are not just numerous, but also united and cunning in their opposition.

Where else these words appear

“crafty” Hebrew H6191 · used in 4 verses

  • 1 Samuel 23:22 Go, I pray you, prepare yet, and know and see his place where his haunt is, and who hath seen him there: for it is told me that he dealeth very subtilly.
  • Proverbs 15:5 A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.
  • Proverbs 19:25 Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.

“counsel” Hebrew H5475 · used in 21 verses

  • Genesis 49:6 O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united: for in their anger they slew a man, and in their selfwill they digged down a wall.
  • Psalms 64:2 Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity:
  • Proverbs 25:9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another:

“ones” Hebrew H6845 · used in 30 verses

  • Exodus 2:2 And the woman conceived, and bare a son: and when she saw him that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months.
  • Job 23:12 Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.
  • Proverbs 2:1 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;

“consulted” Hebrew H3289 · used in 74 verses

  • Exodus 18:19 Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God:
  • 2 Chronicles 22:4 Wherefore he did evil in the sight of the LORD like the house of Ahab: for they were his counsellors after the death of his father to his destruction.
  • Isaiah 3:3 The captain of fifty, and the honourable man, and the counsellor, and the cunning artificer, and the eloquent orator.