Psalms 82

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

Standeth - To observe all that is said or done there. Mighty - Kings or chief rulers. By their congregation he understands all persons whatsoever of this high and sacred order. Judgeth - Passes sentence upon them. The gods - Judges and magistrates are called gods, because they have their commission from God, and act as his deputies.

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

How long - The psalmist speaks to them in God’s name. Accept - By giving sentence according to your respect or affection to the person.

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

They - The magistrates of whom this psalm treats. Know not - The duty of their place. Nor will - Their ignorance is wilful. Walk on - They persist: it is their constant course. In darkness - In their sinful courses. The foundations - This corruption of the supreme rulers, flows from them to their inferior officers and members.

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

Have said - I have given you my name and power to rule your people in my stead. All - Not only the rulers of Israel, but of all other nations. Children - Representing my person, and bearing both my name and authority.

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

Like men - Or, like ordinary men.

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

Arise - Take the sword of justice into thine own hand.