diff --git a/.changes/unreleased/Fixes-20230609-191546.yaml b/.changes/unreleased/Fixes-20230609-191546.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..147d52b2c58
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.changes/unreleased/Fixes-20230609-191546.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+kind: Fixes
+body: Allow dbt show --inline preview of private models
+time: 2023-06-09T19:15:46.716379-04:00
+custom:
+  Author: jtcohen6
+  Issue: "7837"
diff --git a/core/dbt/context/providers.py b/core/dbt/context/providers.py
index 9df68dc6d37..dd3ec719df4 100644
--- a/core/dbt/context/providers.py
+++ b/core/dbt/context/providers.py
@@ -499,6 +499,9 @@ def resolve(
         elif (
             target_model.resource_type == NodeType.Model
             and target_model.access == AccessType.Private
+            # don't raise this reference error for ad hoc 'preview' queries
+            and self.model.resource_type != NodeType.SqlOperation
+            and self.model.resource_type != NodeType.RPCCall  # TODO: rm
         ):
             if not self.model.group or self.model.group != target_model.group:
                 raise DbtReferenceError(
diff --git a/core/dbt/parser/manifest.py b/core/dbt/parser/manifest.py
index 78f39c5b71a..49192d09695 100644
--- a/core/dbt/parser/manifest.py
+++ b/core/dbt/parser/manifest.py
@@ -1407,10 +1407,12 @@ def _process_refs_for_node(manifest: Manifest, current_project: str, node: Manif
             )
             continue
 
-        # Handle references to models that are private
+        # Handle references to models that are private, unless this is an 'ad hoc' query (SqlOperation, RPCCall)
         elif (
             target_model.resource_type == NodeType.Model
             and target_model.access == AccessType.Private
+            and node.resource_type != NodeType.SqlOperation
+            and node.resource_type != NodeType.RPCCall  # TODO: rm
         ):
             if not node.group or node.group != target_model.group:
                 raise dbt.exceptions.DbtReferenceError(
diff --git a/tests/functional/show/fixtures.py b/tests/functional/show/fixtures.py
index d3d8c57e96c..85bfcd26c29 100644
--- a/tests/functional/show/fixtures.py
+++ b/tests/functional/show/fixtures.py
@@ -17,6 +17,18 @@
 select current_setting('timezone') as timezone
 """
 
+private_model_yml = """
+groups:
+  - name: my_cool_group
+    owner: {name: me}
+
+models:
+  - name: private_model
+    access: private
+    config:
+      group: my_cool_group
+"""
+
 
 schema_yml = """
 models:
diff --git a/tests/functional/show/test_show.py b/tests/functional/show/test_show.py
index d2033f9b82a..abd8a96b191 100644
--- a/tests/functional/show/test_show.py
+++ b/tests/functional/show/test_show.py
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@
     models__ephemeral_model,
     schema_yml,
     models__sql_header,
+    private_model_yml,
 )
 
 
@@ -123,3 +124,20 @@ def test_none(self, project):
         (results, log_output) = run_dbt_and_capture(["show", "--select", "sample_model.v2"])
         assert "Previewing node 'sample_model.v1'" not in log_output
         assert "Previewing node 'sample_model.v2'" in log_output
+
+
+class TestShowPrivateModel:
+    @pytest.fixture(scope="class")
+    def models(self):
+        return {
+            "schema.yml": private_model_yml,
+            "private_model.sql": models__sample_model,
+        }
+
+    @pytest.fixture(scope="class")
+    def seeds(self):
+        return {"sample_seed.csv": seeds__sample_seed}
+
+    def test_version_unspecified(self, project):
+        run_dbt(["build"])
+        run_dbt(["show", "--inline", "select * from {{ ref('private_model') }}"])