Psalms82
New International Version
1 God presides in the great assembly; he renders judgment among the “gods”:
2 “How long will you defend the unjust and show partiality to the wicked?
3 Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.
4 Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.
5 “The ‘gods’ know nothing, they understand nothing. They walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken.
6 “I said, ‘You are “gods”; you are all sons of the Most High.’
7 But you will die like mere mortals; you will fall like every other ruler.”
8 Rise up, O God, judge the earth, for all the nations are your inheritance.
Study
Psalms 82Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Psalms 82. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: An exhortation to judges. (1–5). The doom of evil rulers. (6–8).
vv1-5
Magistrates are the mighty in authority for the public good. Magistrates are the ministers of God's providence, for keeping up order and peace, and particularly in punishing evil-doers, and protecting those that do well. Good princes and good judges, who mean well, are under Divine direction; and bad ones, who mean ill, are under Divine restraint. The authority of God is to be submitted to, in those governors whom his providence places over us. But when justice is turned from what is right, no good can be expected. The evil actions of public persons are public mischiefs.
vv6-8
It is hard for men to have honour put upon them, and not to be proud of it. But all the rulers of the earth shall die, and all their honour shall be laid in the dust. God governs the world. There is a righteous God to whom we may go, and on whom we may depend. This also has respect to the kingdom of the Messiah. Considering the state of affairs in the world, we have need to pray that the Lord Jesus would speedily rule over all nations, in truth, righteousness, and peace.
Key Words
מִזְמוֹר: properly, instrumental music; by implication, a poem set to notes
אָסָף: Asaph, the name of three Israelites, and of the family of the first
אֱלֹהִים: gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative
נָצַב: to station, in various applications (literally or figuratively)
אֵל: strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty (but used also of any deity)
עֵדָה: a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd)
קֶרֶב: properly, the nearest part, i.e. the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)
שָׁפַט: to judge, i.e. pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literally or figuratively)
מָתַי: properly, extent (of time); but used only adverbially (especially with other particle prefixes), when (either relative or interrogative)
עַד: as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
Cross References
Psalms 82Jesus quotes this verse to defend His divine sonship, showing that Scripture calls appointed human rulers 'gods'.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
The Mosaic law strictly forbids partiality in judgment, which these wicked rulers are directly violating.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
An early Pentateuchal instance where human civil authorities and judges are referred to as 'gods' (elohim).
Supported by Matthew Poole
Condemns the practice of accepting the person of the wicked to overthrow righteous judgment.
Supported by JFB
Parallels the concept of the earth's moral foundations dissolving when justice and governance collapse.
Supported by JFB
Job models the ideal righteous governor by actively rescuing the poor, fatherless, and helpless.
Supported by JFB
Illustrates how societal and moral foundations are destroyed when rulers abandon justice.
Supported by JFB
Points to the ultimate Messianic fulfillment where God inherits and rightly rules all nations.
Supported by Matthew Henry