The Book of Psalms

Psalm 82

Psalm LXXXII · Vol. II, p. 1041

1 The psalmist, having exhorted the judges, 5 and reproved their misconduct, 8 prayeth God to judge.

Margin referencesNotes ↓

A psalm of Asaph.¹

1 God standeth² in the ^acongregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods.

B.C. cir. 1048.

1 Or, for Asaph.

2 God standeth.—That is, he stands not merely supreme, while all bow down; but he stands justified in all his government, whether of providence or grace. Comp. Ps.v. with Ro.3.26.—C.

a ver.6. 2 Ch.19.6. Ex.12.12; 22.28. Ac.23.5. Ec.5.8. Pr.8.15,16.

2 How long will ye ^bjudge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.³

b Ps.58.2. De.1.17; 16.19. 2 Ch.19.6,7. Le.19.15.

3 See note on Ps.3.2.—C.

3 Defend⁴ the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.

4 Heb. judge, De.10.18. Is.1.17. Je.22.3,16. Ex.23.6.

4 Deliver^c the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.

c Pr.24.10,11. Job 29.12. Ps.72.12-14.

5 They^d know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: ^eall the foundations of the earth are out of course.⁵

d Mi.3.1,6. Ps.58.1-3. Is.42.19,20. Jn.12.35.

e Ps.11.3; 75.3. Ec.3.16. Is.5.7. 2 Ti.2.19.

5 Heb. moved.

6 I^g have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High:⁶

g Jn.10.34,35. Ex.12.12; 22.28. Ac.23.5. Ec.5.8. Ro.13.1-4.

6 The sense is, I have given you the highest title which can be bestowed upon mortals—a title indicative of power and rule. Ye are the representatives of God on earth, ruling for him over the beasts. Ye are by nature, as well as by office, children of the most High;—yet ye are still mortal, and like other men, low in rank and station, ye shall die.—P.

7 But^h ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.⁷

h Ps.49.12. Job 21.32. Eze.31.14.

7 'And fall as well as they, O ye princes.'—Boothroyd.

8 Arise,ⁱ O God, judge the earth: for ^jthou shalt inherit all nations.

i Ps.7.6. Mi.7.9,17. Zep.3.8.

j Ps.2.8; 22.27-31. Re.11.15.

Notes

Ver. 1. Among the gods. That is, among kings, judges, and magistrates, who are called gods, as bound by oath to execute justice; as God has bound himself by oath, for consolation of the 'heirs of promise." He. 6.17. C.

Ver. 5. Foundations. The principal foundations of society are truth, justice and mercy; and that these are continually out of course, is manifest in this, that the greatest efforts of human wisdom and power, either are, or pretend to be, employed in preserving or restoring them. C.

Reflections.—Dignified is the office of magistrates, as the deputies of God. And with solemn awe and strict equity ought they to fix their decisions, as in God's presence, and as accountable to him. Yet how commonly do they indulge themselves in injustice and partiality! For want of substance to procure right to themselves the poor are ordinarily trampled on; but God is their guardian; and, let magistrates do their worst, he will at last redress the grievances of his poor ones. The high station and mighty influence of magistrates shall not long protect them from death; nor, if wicked, from damnation. If our rulers then be wicked, let us give ourselves to prayer, that God may rectify matters, and subdue the world to the righteous government of his Son.