psalm-82:5-8-esv

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 82:8

Arise, O God, judge the earth. The words of God ( Psalms 82:2-7 ) being ended, the psalmist calls upon him to proceed at once to judgment; but he does not limit the judgment to Israel's unjust judges. God is asked to "arise" and "judge the earth, " i.e. the whole world (comp. Psalms 7:7 , Psalms 7:8 ; Psalms 56:7 ; Psalms 59:5 ). For thou shalt inherit; or, "for thou dost inherit." "God is the King of all the earth" ( Psalms 47:2 ), not of Israel only. All nations— ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 82:8

God's inheritance in all nations. Bishop Perowne translates this, "For thou hast all the nations for thine inheritance." Bishop Wordsworth says, "All nations are thine inheritance. Thou gavest a special inheritance to Israel; but all lands are thy Canaan, and all will be judged by thee." The term "inheritance" is used in a somewhat unusual way, and what we regard as its precise meaning is not to be pressed. The idea in the mind of the psalmist was that God is the rightful Sovereign of the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 82:5

They know not, neither will they understand - This is designed still further to characterize the magistrates at the time referred to in the psalm. They not merely judged unjustly, and were not merely partial in the administration of justice Psalms 82:2, but they did not desire to understand their duty, and the true principles on which justice should be administered. They were at no pains to inform themselves, either in regard to those principles, or in regard to the facts in particular cases.... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 82:6

I have said, Ye are gods - See the notes at Psalms 82:1. I have given you this title; I have conferred on you an appellation which indicates a greater nearness to God than any other which is bestowed on men - an appellation which implies that you are God’s representatives on earth, and that your decision is, in an important sense, to be regarded as his.And all of you are children of the Most High - Sons of God. That is, You occupy a rank which makes it proper that you should be regarded as his... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 82:7

But ye shall die like men - You are mortal, like other people. This fact you have forgotten. You have been lifted up with pride, as if you were in fact more exalted than other people; as if you were not subject to the law which consigns all people to the grave. An ancient monarch directed his servant to address him each morning in this language: “Remember, sire, that thou art mortal.” No more salutary truth can be impressed on the minds of the rich and the great than that they are, in this... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 82:8

Arise, O God, judge the earth - That is, Since there is such a failure in the administration of justice by those to whom it pertains, and who are appointed to do it in thy stead, do thou, O God, come forth thyself, and see that justice is executed among people. Do thou take the matter into thine own hands, and see that impartial justice is done everywhere among people. It pertains to thee as the great Proprietor of the earth to exercise justice; and we have nowhere else to look when men fail to... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 82:5

Psalms 82:5. They know not That is, the magistrates, of whom this Psalm treats, are not acquainted with, and will not be at the pains to learn the truth and right of the causes which come before them, nor the duty of their place. Neither will they understand This their ignorance is wilful and affected: they will not search out the truth, and they shut their eyes lest they should see what they do not love to see. They walk on They persist and proceed: it is not one rash and transient... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 82:6-7

Psalms 82:6-7. I have said, Ye are gods I have given you my name and power to rule your people in my stead; and all of you Not only the rulers of Israel, but of all other nations; (for the powers that be are ordained of God, Romans 13:1;) are children of the Most High Representing my person, and bearing both my name and lively characters of my majesty and authority, as children bear the name and image of their parents. But ye shall die like men Like ordinary men. As if he had said,... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 82:8

Psalms 82:8. Arise, O God, judge the earth Seeing the state of the world is so universally corrupt and desperate, and the vicegerents betray their trust, and oppress the nations of the earth, which they were appointed to preserve, do thou, therefore, O God, take the sword of justice into thine own hand, and maintain the cause and right of the oppressed against their potent oppressors, and let truth and justice be established in all parts of the earth. For thou shalt inherit all nations ... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 82:1-8

Psalms Opposition to God’s just rulePsalms 82:0 is written against all those who act unjustly in their position as God’s representatives in administering justice. They are even called gods (v. 1,6; cf. John 10:34; Romans 13:1,Romans 13:4,Romans 13:6). However, instead of rescuing the helpless poor from the powerful rich who enslave them, they show favour to those with influence and money (82:1-4). Because they are blind to all justice, truth and mercy, there is no stability in society (5). They... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 82:8

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 82:8

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 82:5

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 82:6

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 82:7

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 82:8

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 82:5

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 82:6-7

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 82:8

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 82:1-8

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