Psalm 82

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 82

This psalm is calculated for the meridian of princes? courts and courts of justice, not in Israel only, but in other nations; yet it was probably penned primarily for the use of the magistrates of Israel, the great Sanhedrim, and their other elders who were in places of power, and perhaps by David's direction. This psalm is designed to make kings wise, and ?to instruct the judges of the earth? (as Ps. 2:10), to tell them their duty as (2 Sam. 23:3), and to tell them of their faults as Ps.... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 82:1-5

We have here, I. God's supreme presidency and power in all councils and courts asserted and laid down, as a great truth necessary to be believed both by princes and subjects (Ps. 82:1): God stands, as chief director, in the congregation of the mighty, the mighty One, in coetu fortis?in the councils of the prince, the supreme magistrate, and he judges among the gods, the inferior magistrates; both the legislative and the executive power of princes is under his eye and his hand. Observe here, 1.... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 82:6-8

We have here, I. Earthly gods abased and brought down, Ps. 82:6, 7. The dignity of their character is acknowledged (Ps. 82:6): I have said, You are gods. They have been honoured with the name and title of gods. God himself called them so in the statute against treasonable words Exod. 22:28; Thou shalt not revile the gods. And, if they have this style from the fountain of honour, who can dispute it? But what is man, that he should be thus magnified? He called them gods because unto them the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 82

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 82 A Psalm of Asaph . This psalm was written for the use of persons in power, for the instruction of kings and princes, judges and civil magistrates; according to Kimchi, it was written about the times of Jehoshaphat, who appointed new judges throughout the land; those that were before having been very corrupt, to whom he gave a charge agreeably to the purport of this psalm, 2 Chronicles 19:5 , but it seems rather to be written by Asaph, in the times of David,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 82:1

God standeth in the congregation of the mighty ,.... The Syriac version renders it, "in the congregation of angels"; they are mighty, and excel in strength, and there is a large company of them, even an innumerable one, and who surround the throne of the Majesty on high. Christ, who is God over all, was among those on Mount Sinai, and when he ascended to heaven; and with these he will descend when he comes a second time, Psalm 68:17 . The Targum interprets it of the righteous thus, "God,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 82:2

How long will ye judge unjustly ,.... These are the words not of the psalmist, but of the divine Person that stands in the congregation of the mighty, and judges among the gods; calling the unjust judges to an account, and reproving them for their unrighteous proceedings and perversion of justice, in which they had long continued, and which was an aggravation of their sin; this is very applicable to the rulers and judges of the Jewish nation in the times of Christ, who had long dealt very... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 82:3

Defend the poor and fatherless ,.... Or, judge F4 שפטו "judicate", V. L. Pagninus, Montanus, Musculus, Junius & Tremellius, Gejerus, Michaelis. them; such as have no money to enter and carry on a suit, and have no friends to assist and advise them, and abide by them; these should be taken under the care and wing of judges; their cause should be attended to, and justice done them; their persons should be protected, and their property defended and secured for, since they are called... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 82:4

Deliver the poor and needy ,.... From his adversary and oppressor, who is mightier than he, and draws him to the judgment seat; when it is not in his power to defend himself against him, and get out of his hands, unless a righteous judge will show a regard to him and his cause; and sometimes even an unjust judge, through importunity, will do this, as everyone ought, and every righteous one will: rid them out of the hand of the wicked ; this was what the poor widow importuned the unjust... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 82:5

They knew not ,.... The Targum adds, to do well. This is to be understood of unjust judges and wicked magistrates, who know not God, and have not the fear of him before their eyes, though he stands in the midst of them, and judges among them; which is the source of their unjust judging and unrighteous proceedings: for because they know not God, nor fear him, therefore they regard not men: nor do such know themselves; they are called gods, and they think they are so, and do not consider they... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 82:6

I have said, ye are gods ,.... In the law, Exodus 21:6 or they were so by his appointment and commission; he constituted them judges and magistrates, invested them with such an office, by which they came to have this title; see Romans 13:1 , and so our Lord interprets these words, that they were gods "to whom" the word of God came, which gave them a commission and authority to exercise their office, John 10:35 , or rather "against whom" it came, pronouncing the sentence of death on... read more

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