Psalm 82:8

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 82:8

Arise, O God ,.... These are the words of the prophet, or of the church, whom he represents, addressing Christ, who is God over all; that seeing there was such a corruption and degeneracy in the world, and such wretched perversion of justice, that he would arise and exert himself, and show himself strong on the behalf of his people: judge the earth : who is the Judge of the whole earth, to whom all judgment is committed, and who will judge the world in righteousness: for thou shalt... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 82:8

Arise, O God, judge the earth - Justice is perverted in the land: take the scepter, and rule thyself. For thou shalt inherit all nations - Does not this last verse contain a prophecy of our Lord, the calling of the Gentiles, and the prevalence of Christianity over the earth? Thus several of the fathers have understood the passage. It is only by the universal spread of Christianity over the world, that the reign of righteousness and justice is to be established: and of whom can it be said... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 82:8

Verse 8 8Arise, O God! judge the earth. The reason why this psalm concludes with a prayer has been already stated at the commencement. The prophet, finding that his admonitions and remonstrances were ineffectual, and that princes, inflated with pride, treated with contempt all instruction on the principles of equity, addresses himself to God, and calls upon Him to repress their insolence. By this means, the Holy Spirit furnishes us with ground of comfort whenever we are cruelly treated by... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 82:1-8

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 82:1-8

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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 82:8

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

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