Psalm 82

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

A.M. 2959. B.C. 1045. This Psalm contains an admonition, either, 1st, To the chief rulers of Israel, whether judges or kings, or their great council, called the Sanhedrim. Or, rather, 2d, To all the rulers of the world, to whom this word might come; as may be inferred, partly from the expressions here used, which are general, and not peculiar to the governors of Israel, and, therefore, are not unnecessarily to be confined to them; and partly from the last verse, in which he mentions the whole... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 82:1

Psalms 82:1. God standeth in the congregation As a judge, diligently to observe all that is said or done there, and to give sentence accordingly. The judge sits when he hears causes, but stands up when he gives sentence. Or standing may here be intended, not to denote the posture of the person, but only his being present. Whence this Hebrew word נצב , nitzab, is by some learned interpreters rendered, is present, and by others, presideth, as this word is used, 1Sa 19:20 ; 1... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 82:2

Psalms 82:2. How long will ye judge unjustly? The psalmist speaks to them in God’s name, and reproves them for their continued unrighteousness in their public administrations; and accept the persons of the wicked By overlooking the merits of the cause, and giving sentence according to your respect or affection to the person. It appears from Isaiah 1:23, that the courts of justice were very corrupt in Hezekiah’s reign, at which time probably this Psalm was written. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 82:3-4

Psalms 82:3-4. Defend the poor and fatherless As far as justly you may: for so this clause must be limited, as appears by comparing it with Leviticus 19:15. Do justice to the afflicted and needy Hebrew, הצדיקו , hatzdiku, justify him, namely, when his cause is good, and he is oppressed by a potent adversary. Deliver the poor and needy These he recommends to the special care and protection of magistrates, because such are commonly neglected and crushed by men in higher place and power,... 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

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

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 82:1

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 82:2

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 82:3-4

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

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