Psalms 82

¹A Psalm of Asaph. God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods.

Psa 82:1-8. Before the great Judge, the judges of the earth are rebuked, exhorted, and threatened. 1. congregation--(Compare Ex 12:3; 16:1). of the mighty--that is, of God, of His appointment. the gods--or, “judges” (Ex 21:6; 22:9), God’s representatives.

²How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.

2. accept the persons--literally, “lift up the faces,” that is, from dejection, or admit to favor and communion, regardless of merit (Le 19:15; Pr 18:5).

³Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.

⁴Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.

3-4. So must good judges act (Psa 10:14; Job 29:12).

⁵They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course.

5. By the wilful ignorance and negligence of judges, anarchy ensues (Psa 11:3; 75:3). out of course--(Compare Margin; Psa 9:6; 62:2).

⁶I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.

⁷But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.

6-7. Though God admitted their official dignity (Joh 10:34), He reminds them of their mortality.

⁸Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations.

8. As rightful sovereign of earth, God is invoked personally to correct the evils of His representatives.