Psalm 82

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 82:7

But ye shall die like men ,.... As men in common do, to whom it is appointed to die, Hebrews 9:27 or as common men, as men in the lowest class of life: the wise man dies as the fool, the king as the peasant, high as the low, rich as the poor; death levels and makes all alike: or as Adam, as the first man, so Jarchi, who was lord of the whole universe; but being in honour, abode not, but became like the beasts that perish; sinning he died, and so all his posterity, even those who have the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 82:8

Arise, O God ,.... These are the words of the prophet, or of the church, whom he represents, addressing Christ, who is God over all; that seeing there was such a corruption and degeneracy in the world, and such wretched perversion of justice, that he would arise and exert himself, and show himself strong on the behalf of his people: judge the earth : who is the Judge of the whole earth, to whom all judgment is committed, and who will judge the world in righteousness: for thou shalt... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 82

A warning to corrupt judges, Psalm 82:1 , Psalm 82:2 ; an exhortation to them to dispense justice without respect of person, Psalm 82:3-5 ; they are threatened with the judgments of the Lord, Psalm 82:6-8 . This Psalm, which, in the title, is attributed to Asaph, was probably composed in the time when Jehoshaphat reformed the courts of justice throughout his states; see 2 Chronicles 19:6 , 2 Chronicles 19:7 , where he uses nearly the same words as in the beginning of this Psalm. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 82:1

God standeth in the congregation of the mighty - The Hebrew should be translated, "God standeth in the assembly of God." God is among his people; and he presides especially in those courts of justice which himself has established. The Court of King's Bench is properly the place where the king presides, and where he is supposed to be always present. But the kings of England seldom make their appearance there. King James I sometimes attended: at such times it might be said, "The king is in the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 82:2

Accept the persons of the wicked? - " Lift up their faces," encourage them in their oppressions. Selah - " Mark this:" ye do it, and sorely sLall ye suffer for it. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 82:3

Defend the poor - You are their natural protectors under God. They are oppressed: punish their oppressors, however rich or powerful: and deliver them. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 82:5

They know not - The judges are not acquainted with the law of God, on which all their decisions should be founded. Neither will they understand - They are ignorant and do not wish to be instructed. They will not learn; they cannot teach. Happy England! How different from Judea, even in the days of Jehoshaphat! All thy judges are learned, righteous, and impartial. Never did greater men in their profession dignify any land or country - (1822). All the foundations of the earth - " All... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 82:6

Ye are gods - Or, with the prefix of כ ke , the particle of similitude, כאלהים keelohim , "like God." Ye are my representatives, and are clothed with my power and authority to dispense judgment and justice, therefore all of them are said to be children of the Most High. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 82:7

But ye shall die like men - כאדם keadam , "ye shall die like Adam," who fell from his high perfection and dignity as ye have done. Your high office cannot secure you an immortality. And fall like one of the princes - Justice shall pursue you, and judgment shall overtake you; and you shall be executed like public state criminals. You shall not, in the course of nature, fall into the grave; but your life shall be brought to an end by a legal sentence, or a particular judgment of God. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 82:8

Arise, O God, judge the earth - Justice is perverted in the land: take the scepter, and rule thyself. For thou shalt inherit all nations - Does not this last verse contain a prophecy of our Lord, the calling of the Gentiles, and the prevalence of Christianity over the earth? Thus several of the fathers have understood the passage. It is only by the universal spread of Christianity over the world, that the reign of righteousness and justice is to be established: and of whom can it be said... read more

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