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
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
They know not, neither will they understand . Scarcely "an aside from the indignant judge," as Professor Cheyne suggests, much less a remark interpolated by the poet (Ewald, Hitzig). Rather a complaint of human perversity, addressed by Jehovah to the angelic host who are present ( Psalms 82:1 ). It is not an accidental and excusable ignorance, but a wilful and guilty one that is spoken of. They walk on in darkness. Loving darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil ( ... read more
I have said, Ye are gods; i.e. "in my Law I have called you gods"—I have given you this lofty name (see Exodus 21:6 ; Exodus 22:8 , Exodus 22:9 ), since ye judge on my behalf, "as my representatives" ( Deuteronomy 1:17 ; 2 Chronicles 19:6 ; Romans 13:1 , Romans 13:2 ). And all of you are children of the Most High. Not therefore "gods" in the strictest sense, but possessing a derived, and so a qualified, divinity. read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 82:1-8
Corruptio optimi pessima est. We have here a vivid picture of the corruption of men, supposed to be, and who should have been, the best in Israel. It refers to the judges, and tells them how judges are judged ( Acts 23:3 ). And it may be applied to all misuse of power or abuse of trust, where, when, or howsoever any may be guilty thereof. This short psalm tells much concerning— I. THE DIVINE ESTIMATE OF NATIONS SUCH AS ISRAEL . They are "the congregation of God." This... read more