Psalms 83:3
They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
Ancient warfare involved not just military battles but political intrigue, deception, alliance-building, and strategic plotting. Sun Tzu's principle "all warfare is based on deception" was understood millennia before he wrote it. Enemies of Israel often used cunning rather than direct assault: Balak hired Balaam to curse Israel (Numbers 22-24); Canaanites lured Israel into idolatry (Numbers 25:1-3); Haman plotted systematic genocide (Esther 3-4). The psalm's warning about "crafty counsel" reflects this reality. Modern spiritual warfare similarly involves subtle deception (2 Corinthians 11:3, Ephesians 6:11) more than overt persecution. The church faces cultural seduction, doctrinal compromise, and strategic marginalization—"crafty counsel" designed to neutralize Christian witness without martyring believers.
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean that believers are God's "hidden ones," and how does this truth provide security in times of opposition?
- How can you discern between direct opposition and "crafty counsel" (subtle strategies) designed to undermine your faith or the church's witness?
- In what ways does modern culture employ cunning strategy against Christian truth rather than direct confrontation?
Analysis & Commentary
They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones. The enemy conspiracy involves cunning strategy, not merely brute force. Ya'arimu sod (יַעֲרִימוּ סוֹד, "they have taken crafty counsel") uses aram (עָרַם), meaning to be shrewd, cunning, or subtle—the same word describing the serpent in Genesis 3:1. This is calculated, deceptive strategy designed to destroy through subtlety what cannot be defeated directly.
Thy hidden ones (tsefuneikha, צְפוּנֶיךָ) is remarkable terminology. The verb tsafan (צָפַן) means to hide, treasure up, store securely. God's people are His treasured possession, hidden and protected in Him. Isaiah 49:2 uses similar language: "in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me." Colossians 3:3 echoes this: "your life is hid with Christ in God." Though enemies see only vulnerable Israel, God sees His precious, protected treasure. The covenant people's security doesn't rest in military might but in being hidden in God's sheltering presence.
The parallelism between "thy people" (ammekha, עַמֶּךָ) and "thy hidden ones" emphasizes both corporate identity and individual preciousness. Believers are simultaneously part of God's people collectively and individually treasured by Him. Enemies may conspire with crafty counsel, but they cannot penetrate God's protection of those hidden in Him. Their schemes, though clever, will fail because they attack what God Himself guards.