How long will ye judge unjustly? "The cry of the impatient Jehovah" (Cheyne); comp. Exodus 10:3 ; Exodus 16:28 ; Numbers 14:11 , Numbers 14:27 . And accept the persons of the wicked? Accepting men's persons is favouring them unduly on account of their position or outward circumstances. It was strictly forbidden in the Mosaic Law (see Deuteronomy 1:17 ; Deuteronomy 16:19 ; Le Deuteronomy 19:15 ). read more
Accepting the person. Jehoshaphat ( 2 Chronicles 19:7 ), in addressing the Judges, reminds them that "with the Lord our God is no respect of persons, nor taking of gifts" (see also 2 Samuel 14:14 ; Acts 10:34 ; Romans 2:11 ; Galatians 2:6 ). This Hebrew term, "accepting the person," or "accepting the face," is the equivalent of our term, "show partiality to." The figure is taken from the Eastern custom of prostration before a king or judge. The accepted suitor is commanded to... read more
Defend the poor and fatherless ; literally, judge them . "Do not deny them justice; do not refuse to hear their cause" (comp. Isaiah 1:23 ; Jeremiah 5:28 ). Do justice to the afflicted and needy. After consenting to hear their cause, be sure thou doest them justice. These commands are covert reproaches. read more
The claims of the poor. This verse suggests four classes. The "poor" are those who have little or no money. The "fatherless" are those who have no defenders and friends. The "afflicted" are those who have to bear actual suffering. And the "needy" are those who have reasonable wants which they cannot satisfy. And in these senses we have the poor always with us; and whensoever we will we may do them good. The immediate application of the passage is to persons in authority who may defend the... read more
Deliver the poor and needy. The poor were terribly oppressed, and needed "deliverance" (see Job 29:12 ; Isaiah 1:17 ; Isaiah 3:14 , Isaiah 3:15 ; Isaiah 58:6 ; Micah 3:2 , Micah 3:3 ). Rid them out of the hand of the wicked; or, rescue them . read more
The national peril in the mal-administration of justice. This subject is illustrated by the rebellion of Absalom. That rebellion would not have been possible if the confidence of the people had not been lost by David's neglect of the judgment seat. Absalom gained favour by craftily saying, "Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice!" ( 2 Samuel 15:4 ). Those who search into the causes of great... read more
How long will ye judge unjustly - literally, Judge evil. This is designed, evidently, to denote the prevailing character of the magistrates at the time when the psalm was written. Unhappily such occasions occur very often in the course of human affairs.And accept the persons of the wicked? - literally, Lift up, or bear, the faces of the wicked. The meaning is, that they showed favor or partiality to wicked people; they did not decide cases according to truth, but were influenced by a regard for... read more
Defend the poor and fatherless - literally, judge; that is, Pronounce just judgment; see that right is done to them. This is required everywhere in the Scriptures. The meaning is not that judgment is to be pronounced in their favor because they are poor, or because they are orphans, for this would be to do what they had just been charged with as in itself wrong, accepting of persons; that is, showing favor on account of condition or rank, rather than on account of a just claim. The idea is,... read more
Deliver the poor and needy - That is, Deliver them from the power and the arts of those who would oppress and wrong them. This would not be showing them partiality; it would be simply doing them justice.Rid them out of the hand of the wicked - Deliver, or Rescue them from their hands; that is, from their attempts to oppress and wrong them. read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 82:1-8
A solemn rebuke addressed to those who, pledged by their office to uphold the Law, had trampled upon it for their own selfish ends. I. GOD 'S RELATION TO RULERS . ( Psalms 82:1 .) 1 . He has appointed them to a Divine work. They are to represent the justice and righteousness of God. 2 . He holds them responsible for their manner of doing it. Judges them. II. THE RIGHT USE AND THE ABUSE OF RESPONSIBLE POWER . (Verses 2-4.) 1 . The right... read more