Psalm 83:3-4 They have taken crafty counsel against your people, and consulted against your hidden ones.… I. THE ENMITY WHICH THE WICKED BEAR TO THE CHURCH OF GOD, and from whence it proceeds. 1. This proceeds from the craft and policy, the malice of the Devil, who, being a competitor with God for dominion in the world, and whose whole design it is to defeat Him in the good that He would do for mankind, doth perpetually labour to put a stop to whatever may be offered toward the delivering of the souls of men out of his snare. 2. It proceeds from the restless temper of wicked men, whose minds are set upon mischief, and that do catch at all opportunities for it. 3. It proceeds from the interest of wicked men (ver. 3). 4. It may proceed from the excellency of a Church, when it doth outshine them in the best and truest perfections, and that true goodness and substantial piety is there taught and practised. 5. It may proceed from the disposal of Divine Providence, that for the punishing of the sins of a Church, doth not only suffer others to aft]let her, but turn their displeasure that way. II. IN WHAT WAYS THEY SHOW THIS ENMITY, and what course they take to afflict and destroy the Church. 1. Slandering their adversaries, and raising false reports of them. 2. Dividing the Church, and setting one part of it against the other. 3. Downright force. III. THE CONFIDENCE THEY HAVE OF SUCCESS. This may proceed from the review which they have of their own policy and strength, and from the observation which they make of the weakness of their adversaries; weak, perhaps, of themselves; weaker, perhaps, with their divisions; weak because they are secure, and not aware of an assault; and weak because they have made no provision against it. Confident again they may be of success because the design lies out of sight. IV. THE COURSE BY WHICH THE CHURCH AND PEOPLE OF GOD MAY AND SHALL BE SECURED. Which is fervent prayer to God, and entire dependence upon Him. (J. Williams, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones.WEB: They conspire with cunning against your people. They plot against your cherished ones. |
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