But ye shall die like men. The name of "gods," even the fact of your being representatives of God, shall not save you from condign punishment. Ye shall be punished with death, as other wicked men are punished ( Psalms 73:18 ). And fall like one of the princes; i.e. come to an untimely end, as so many "princes" have done (see Joshua 12:9-24 ; 1:7 ; 3:21 ; 7:25 ; 8:21 , etc.). read more
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
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
This, too, is a “Psalm of Asaph.” See Introduction to Psalms 73:0. There is nothing, however, in its contents to determine the time or the occasion of its being composed, although there is no difficulty in ascertaining the design for which it was written, or the use to be made of it. It is intended to state the duties and the responsibilites of magistrates or civil rulers. Though the language is such as was adapted especially to the Hebrew magistracy, and to the duties of magistrates as... read more
God standeth in the congregation of the mighty - In the assembly of the rulers and judges; among those of most exalted rank and station. He is there to observe them; to give them law; to direct their decisions; to judge them. He is supreme over them; and he holds them responsible to himself The word rendered congregation is that which is commonly applied to the assembly of the people of Israel, considered as an organized body, or as a body politic. It here, however, refers to magistrates... 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
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
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The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 82:6
Our changing estimates of men. "I have said, Ye are gods … but ye shall die like men." Life, in its progression, involves a process of "disillusioning." The youth builds "castles in the air," "castles in Spain;" but advancing life deals with them as the growing sunshine deals with morning mists. We begin life with admiring and trusting everybody; it is well for us if advancing life does not find us standing beside the psalmist, and saying, "All men are liars." David thought Ahithophel... read more