Meaning of Psalms 83:3

This verse from Psalm 83 describes a persistent and insidious form of opposition directed against God's chosen people, characterized by deliberate deception and malicious intent. The Hebrew word translated as "cunning" ( ormah) suggests shrewdness and craftiness, implying a strategic and calculated approach to harming others, rather than overt, brute force. The object of this cunning is "your people," referring to the Israelites in the psalm's immediate context, but by extension, it can also represent any group that God has set apart for Himself. The phrase "those you cherish" ( cherem or segullah, depending on textual variants, both implying preciousness and possession) underscores the deep affection and protective relationship God has with His people, making the conspiracy against them a direct affront to His will and love. This conspiracy is not merely a casual disagreement but a deliberate "plotting" ( machashavah), indicating premeditated actions designed to undermine and destroy.

Context and Background

Psalm 83 is a communal lament and imprecatory psalm, likely composed during a period of significant national threat to Israel. The psalm itself lists a confederation of nations surrounding Israel (verses 6-8) who have united in their hostility, aiming to "cut off" Israel from being a nation, so that its name would be remembered no more. The "cunning" mentioned in verse 3 points to the insidious nature of their alliances and strategies, which were not just military but also involved political maneuvering and potentially undermining Israel's spiritual devotion to God. This psalm reflects a deep-seated animosity towards God's covenant people, stemming from their unique relationship with the divine and their role in God's redemptive plan.

Key Themes and Messages

The central themes are conspiracy, deception, divine protection, and the vindication of the righteous. The verse highlights the reality of opposition faced by those who align themselves with God, emphasizing that such opposition is often characterized by deceit rather than straightforward conflict. It also underscores God's awareness of and concern for His people, who are described as "cherished." The implication is that God sees these plots and is not indifferent to the suffering of His beloved. The psalm, as a whole, calls upon God to intervene and judge these enemies, demonstrating His power and establishing His justice.

Spiritual Significance and Application

For believers today, this verse serves as a reminder that opposition to faith is often subtle and strategic. It speaks to the spiritual warfare described in the New Testament, where adversaries employ "cunning" and "schemes" (Ephesians 6:11). The "people" and "those you cherish" can be understood as the Church, the body of Christ, and individual believers who are dearly loved by God. The verse encourages vigilance and reliance on God's discernment and power to overcome deceptive tactics. It also reassures believers that God's affection for them is a source of strength and protection against those who plot against them.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

Psalm 83's theme of nations conspiring against God's people echoes throughout biblical history. From the early opposition faced by Abraham and his descendants to the challenges faced by Israel in the wilderness, the Promised Land, and exile, the pattern of external hostility is evident. This culminates in the New Testament with the opposition to Jesus and the early Church. The ultimate fulfillment of God's vindication and the establishment of His kingdom, as prophesied in scripture, stands in contrast to the fleeting and ultimately futile conspiracies of His enemies. The verse foreshadows the ongoing spiritual battle until Christ's return, when all opposition will be definitively overcome.

Analogies

One analogy for this verse is a predator using camouflage and stealth to stalk its prey. The cunning is the camouflage, the plotting is the stalking, and the prey is God's cherished people. Another analogy is a hacker attempting to infiltrate a secure system. The hacker uses sophisticated, deceptive methods ("cunning") to find vulnerabilities and gain unauthorized access ("plotting") to sensitive data ("those you cherish"). The system's administrator's vigilance and security measures represent God's protective oversight.

Relation to Other Verses

This verse resonates with numerous other biblical passages. In the New Testament, Ephesians 6:12 states, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." This directly parallels the idea of unseen, cunning forces at work. 1 Peter 5:8 warns, "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." This highlights the predatory nature of spiritual opposition. The concept of God cherishing His people is found in many places, such as Deuteronomy 7:6: "For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession." Finally, the call for divine intervention and justice is a recurring theme in many psalms, such as Psalm 35, which also details the psalmist's enemies and their malicious plots.