Psalm 83:3
New International Version
With cunning they conspire against your people; they plot against those you cherish.

New Living Translation
They devise crafty schemes against your people; they conspire against your precious ones.

English Standard Version
They lay crafty plans against your people; they consult together against your treasured ones.

Berean Standard Bible
With cunning they scheme against Your people and conspire against those You cherish,

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

New King James Version
They have taken crafty counsel against Your people, And consulted together against Your sheltered ones.

New American Standard Bible
They make shrewd plans against Your people, And conspire together against Your treasured ones.

NASB 1995
They make shrewd plans against Your people, And conspire together against Your treasured ones.

NASB 1977
They make shrewd plans against Thy people, And conspire together against Thy treasured ones.

Legacy Standard Bible
They make shrewd plans against Your people, And conspire together against Your treasured ones.

Amplified Bible
They concoct crafty schemes against Your people, And conspire together against Your hidden and precious ones.

Christian Standard Bible
They devise clever schemes against your people; they conspire against your treasured ones.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
They devise clever schemes against Your people; they conspire against Your treasured ones.

American Standard Version
They take crafty counsel against thy people, And consult together against thy hidden ones.

Contemporary English Version
They are sly, and they plot against those you treasure.

English Revised Version
They take crafty counsel against thy people, and consult together against thy hidden ones.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
They make plans in secret against your people and plot together against those you treasure.

Good News Translation
They are making secret plans against your people; they are plotting against those you protect.

International Standard Version
They plot against your people and conspire against your cherished ones.

Majority Standard Bible
With cunning they scheme against Your people and conspire against those You cherish,

NET Bible
They carefully plot against your people, and make plans to harm the ones you cherish.

New Heart English Bible
They conspire with cunning against your people. They plot against your cherished ones.

Webster's Bible Translation
They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones.

World English Bible
They conspire with cunning against your people. They plot against your cherished ones.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
They take crafty counsel against Your people, "" And consult against Your hidden ones.

Young's Literal Translation
Against Thy people they take crafty counsel, And consult against Thy hidden ones.

Smith's Literal Translation
Against thy people they will make crafty consultation, and they will counsel against thy hidden ones.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
They have taken a malicious counsel against thy people, and have consulted against thy saints.

Catholic Public Domain Version
They have acted with malice in counsel over your people, and they have plotted against your holy ones.

New American Bible
They conspire against your people, plot against those you protect.

New Revised Standard Version
They lay crafty plans against your people; they consult together against those you protect.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
They have taken crafty counsel, and consulted against thy chosen ones.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
They forged a secret in their craftiness and counseled against your Holy Ones.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
They hold crafty converse against Thy people, And take counsel against Thy treasured ones.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Against thy people they have craftily imagined a device, and have taken counsel against thy saints.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Do Not Be Still, O God
2See how Your enemies rage, how Your foes have reared their heads. 3With cunning they scheme against Your people and conspire against those You cherish, 4saying, “Come, let us erase them as a nation; may the name of Israel be remembered no more.”…

Cross References
Nehemiah 4:8
and all of them conspired to come and fight against Jerusalem and create a hindrance.

Jeremiah 11:19
For I was like a gentle lamb led to slaughter; I did not know that they had plotted against me: “Let us destroy the tree with its fruit; let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be remembered no more.”

Ezekiel 35:5
Because you harbored an ancient hatred and delivered the Israelites over to the sword in the time of their disaster at the final stage of their punishment,

Esther 3:6
And when he learned the identity of Mordecai’s people, he scorned the notion of laying hands on Mordecai alone. Instead, he sought to destroy all of Mordecai’s people, the Jews, throughout the kingdom of Xerxes.

2 Kings 6:11-12
For this reason the king of Aram became enraged and called his servants to demand of them, “Tell me, which one of us is on the side of the king of Israel?” / But one of his servants replied, “No one, my lord the king. For Elisha, the prophet in Israel, tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom.”

Genesis 37:18-20
Now Joseph’s brothers saw him in the distance, and before he arrived, they plotted to kill him. / “Here comes that dreamer!” they said to one another. / “Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. We can say that a vicious animal has devoured him. Then we shall see what becomes of his dreams!”

1 Samuel 23:9-12
When David learned that Saul was plotting evil against him, he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ephod.” / And David said, “O LORD, God of Israel, Your servant has heard that Saul intends to come to Keilah and destroy the city on my account. / Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me into his hand? Will Saul come down, as Your servant has heard? O LORD, God of Israel, please tell Your servant.” “He will,” said the LORD. ...

2 Samuel 15:12
While Absalom was offering the sacrifices, he sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, to come from his hometown of Giloh. So the conspiracy gained strength, and Absalom’s following kept increasing.

Isaiah 8:10
Devise a plan, but it will be thwarted; state a proposal, but it will not happen. For God is with us.”

Micah 4:11
But now many nations have assembled against you, saying, “Let her be defiled, and let us feast our eyes on Zion.”

Matthew 26:3-4
At that time the chief priests and elders of the people assembled in the courtyard of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, / and they conspired to arrest Jesus covertly and kill Him.

John 11:47-53
Then the chief priests and Pharisees convened the Sanhedrin and said, “What are we to do? This man is performing many signs. / If we let Him go on like this, everyone will believe in Him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” / But one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all! ...

Acts 23:12-15
When daylight came, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. / More than forty of them were involved in this plot. / They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have bound ourselves with a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul. ...

Acts 4:25-28
You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of Your servant, our father David: ‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? / The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against His Anointed One.’ / In fact, this is the very city where Herod and Pontius Pilate conspired with the Gentiles and the people of Israel against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed. ...

Matthew 12:14
But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.


Treasury of Scripture

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

they

Psalm 10:9
He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net.

Psalm 56:6
They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul.

Psalm 64:2
Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity:

thy hidden

Psalm 27:5
For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.

Psalm 31:20
Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.

Psalm 91:1
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

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Cherish Cherished Conspire Consult Consulted Converse Counsel Crafty Cunning Designs Hidden Hold Lay Ones Plans Plot Protected Secret Shrewd Talking Together Treasured Wise
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Cherish Cherished Conspire Consult Consulted Converse Counsel Crafty Cunning Designs Hidden Hold Lay Ones Plans Plot Protected Secret Shrewd Talking Together Treasured Wise
Psalm 83
1. A complaint to God of the enemies conspiracies
9. A prayer against those who oppress the Church














With cunning they scheme against Your people
This phrase highlights the deceptive and strategic nature of the enemies of God's people. Throughout biblical history, Israel faced numerous adversaries who plotted against them, often using deceitful tactics. The term "cunning" suggests a level of craftiness and intelligence in their schemes, reminiscent of the serpent in Genesis 3:1, who was described as more cunning than any other beast. This reflects the ongoing spiritual warfare against God's chosen people, a theme that runs throughout the Bible. The enemies' schemes can be seen in various historical contexts, such as the plots of Haman in the Book of Esther or the Philistines' strategies against Israel. These adversaries often sought to undermine Israel's covenant relationship with God, which is a recurring theme in the Old Testament.

and conspire against those You cherish
The word "conspire" indicates a secretive and collaborative effort to harm. This reflects the unity among the enemies of Israel, who often formed alliances to oppose God's people. The phrase "those You cherish" underscores the special relationship between God and Israel, His chosen nation. This covenant relationship is central to the Old Testament narrative, as seen in passages like Deuteronomy 7:6-8, where God expresses His love and choice of Israel. The conspiracies against Israel can be seen as direct challenges to God's sovereignty and His promises to His people. This phrase also foreshadows the New Testament understanding of the Church as the cherished bride of Christ, who faces spiritual opposition in the world. The ultimate fulfillment of God's protection and love for His cherished ones is seen in Jesus Christ, who embodies God's covenant faithfulness and love.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Asaph
The author of Psalm 83, Asaph was a prominent Levite singer and seer in David's court, known for his role in leading worship and composing psalms.

2. God's People (Israel)
The primary focus of the conspiracies mentioned in the verse, representing the nation of Israel, whom God has chosen and cherished.

3. Enemies of Israel
The adversaries who plot against Israel, representing various nations and groups historically opposed to God's people.

4. The Cherished Ones
Refers to the people of Israel, whom God holds dear and protects, highlighting their special covenant relationship with Him.

5. Cunning Schemes and Conspiracies
The actions of Israel's enemies, characterized by deceit and strategic planning to harm God's people.
Teaching Points
God's Protection Over His People
Despite the cunning schemes of their enemies, God's people are under His divine protection. Believers today can trust in God's safeguarding presence in their lives.

The Reality of Spiritual Warfare
Just as Israel faced physical enemies, Christians face spiritual adversaries. Recognizing the reality of spiritual warfare encourages believers to remain vigilant and prayerful.

The Importance of Community and Unity
The conspiracies against Israel highlight the need for unity among God's people. In the church, unity strengthens believers against external threats.

Trust in God's Sovereignty
God's sovereignty assures us that no scheme against His people will ultimately succeed. Believers can rest in the knowledge that God is in control.

Responding to Opposition with Faith
When facing opposition, believers are called to respond with faith and reliance on God, rather than fear or retaliation.(3) They have taken crafty counsel.--Literally, They have made their plot crafty; or, as we say, "They have laid a deep plot."

Hidden ones--i.e., those under God's close protection, as in Psalm 17:8; Psalm 27:5; Psalm 31:20.

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).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
With cunning
יַעֲרִ֣ימוּ (ya·‘ă·rî·mū)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 6191: To be, bare, to be cunning

they scheme
ס֑וֹד (sō·wḏ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5475: A session, company of persons, intimacy, consultation, a secret

against
עַֽל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

Your people
עַ֭מְּךָ (‘am·mə·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

and conspire
וְ֝יִתְיָעֲצ֗וּ (wə·yiṯ·yā·‘ă·ṣū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3289: To advise, to deliberate, resolve

against
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

those You cherish,
צְפוּנֶֽיךָ׃ (ṣə·p̄ū·ne·ḵā)
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 6845: To hide, to hoard, reserve, to deny, to protect, to lurk


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OT Poetry: Psalm 83:3 They conspire with cunning against your people (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 83:2
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