Psalm 83:3

3 (82-4) They have taken a malicious counsel against thy people, and have consulted against thy saints.

Psalm 83:3 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 83:3

They have taken crafty counsel against thy people
The people of Israel, hereafter named, whom God had chosen and avouched to be his people; these they dealt subtlety with, as the king of Egypt had done with their forefathers; and this, agreeably to their character, being the seed of the old serpent, more subtle than any of the beasts of the field; these devised cunning devices, formed crafty schemes for the destruction of the Lord's people; but often so it is, that the wise are taken in their own craftiness, and their counsel is carried headlong:

and consulted against thy hidden ones;
not hidden from the Lord, and unknown unto him, though from their enemies, and unknown by them, and so the object of their hatred and persecution; but hidden by him as his jewels and peculiar treasure, which he takes care of; hidden under the shadow of his wings, in the secret of his presence and tabernacle, as in a pavilion; and therefore it was a daring piece of insolence in their enemies to attack them: so the life of saints is said to be hid with Christ in God, which denotes both its secrecy and safety; see ( Colossians 3:3 ) , the Targum is,

``against the things hidden in thy treasures;''

meaning the riches of the temple.

Psalm 83:3 In-Context

1 (82-1) <A canticle of a psalm for Asaph.> (82-2) O God, who shall be like to thee? hold not thy peace, neither be thou still, O God.

2 (82-3) For lo, thy enemies have made a noise: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head.

3 (82-4) They have taken a malicious counsel against thy people, and have consulted against thy saints.

4 (82-5) They have said: Come and let us destroy them, so that they be not a nation: and let the name of Israel be remembered no more.

5 (82-6) For they have contrived with one consent: they have made a covenant together against thee,