Psalms 82
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Psalms 82
God Standeth in the Congregation of the Mighty
1God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
PSALM 82
Psa 82:1-8. Before the great Judge, the judges of the earth are rebuked, exhorted, and threatened.
1. congregation--(Compare Ex 12:3; 16:1).
of the mighty--that is, of God, of His appointment.
the gods--or, "judges" (Ex 21:6; 22:9), God's representatives.
PSALM 82
Psa 82:1-8. Before the great Judge, the judges of the earth are rebuked, exhorted, and threatened.
1. congregation--(Compare Ex 12:3; 16:1).
of the mighty--that is, of God, of His appointment.
the gods--or, "judges" (Ex 21:6; 22:9), God's representatives.
The Pulpit Commentary
God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; or, "in the congregation of God"—"the Divine assembly" (see Job_1:6; Job_2:1; Isa_6:1, Isa_6:2, etc.). El, in the singular, can scarcely mean the "mighty ones of earth." He judgeth among the gods. He "holds a court of judgment in heaven, surrounded by the Divine ministers, who will execute his behests" (Canon Cook).
God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; or, "in the congregation of God"—"the Divine assembly" (see Job_1:6; Job_2:1; Isa_6:1, Isa_6:2, etc.). El, in the singular, can scarcely mean the "mighty ones of earth." He judgeth among the gods. He "holds a court of judgment in heaven, surrounded by the Divine ministers, who will execute his behests" (Canon Cook).
2How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
2. accept the persons--literally, "lift up the faces," that is, from dejection, or admit to favor and communion, regardless of merit (Le 19:15; Pr 18:5).
2. accept the persons--literally, "lift up the faces," that is, from dejection, or admit to favor and communion, regardless of merit (Le 19:15; Pr 18:5).
The Pulpit Commentary
How long will ye judge unjustly? "The cry of the impatient Jehovah" (Cheyne); comp. Exo_10:3; Exo_16:28; Num_14:11, Num_14:27. And accept the persons of the wicked? Accepting men's persons is favouring them unduly on account of their position or outward circumstances. It was strictly forbidden in the Mosaic Law (see Deu_1:17; Deu_16:19; Le Deu_19:15).
How long will ye judge unjustly? "The cry of the impatient Jehovah" (Cheyne); comp. Exo_10:3; Exo_16:28; Num_14:11, Num_14:27. And accept the persons of the wicked? Accepting men's persons is favouring them unduly on account of their position or outward circumstances. It was strictly forbidden in the Mosaic Law (see Deu_1:17; Deu_16:19; Le Deu_19:15).
3Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
3-4. So must good judges act (Psa 10:14; Job 29:12).
3-4. So must good judges act (Psa 10:14; Job 29:12).
The Pulpit Commentary
Defend the poor and fatherless; literally, judge them. "Do not deny them justice; do not refuse to hear their cause" (comp. Isa_1:23; Jer_5:28). Do justice to the afflicted and needy. After consenting to hear their cause, be sure thou doest them justice. These commands are covert reproaches.
Defend the poor and fatherless; literally, judge them. "Do not deny them justice; do not refuse to hear their cause" (comp. Isa_1:23; Jer_5:28). Do justice to the afflicted and needy. After consenting to hear their cause, be sure thou doest them justice. These commands are covert reproaches.
4Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.
The Pulpit Commentary
Deliver the poor and needy. The poor were terribly oppressed, and needed "deliverance" (see Job_29:12; Isa_1:17; Isa_3:14, Isa_3:15; Isa_58:6; Mic_3:2, Mic_3:3). Rid them out of the hand of the wicked; or, rescue them.
Deliver the poor and needy. The poor were terribly oppressed, and needed "deliverance" (see Job_29:12; Isa_1:17; Isa_3:14, Isa_3:15; Isa_58:6; Mic_3:2, Mic_3:3). Rid them out of the hand of the wicked; or, rescue them.
5They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
5. By the wilful ignorance and negligence of judges, anarchy ensues (Psa 11:3; 75:3).
out of course--(Compare Margin; Psa 9:6; 62:2).
5. By the wilful ignorance and negligence of judges, anarchy ensues (Psa 11:3; 75:3).
out of course--(Compare Margin; Psa 9:6; 62:2).
The Pulpit Commentary
They know not, neither will they understand. Scarcely "an aside from the indignant judge," as Professor Cheyne suggests, much less a remark interpolated by the poet (Ewald, Hitzig). Rather a complaint of human perversity, addressed by Jehovah to the angelic host who are present (Psa_82:1). It is not an accidental and excusable ignorance, but a wilful and guilty one that is spoken of. They walk on in darkness. Loving darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil (Joh_3:19), they walked in the way of darkness (Pro_2:13). All the foundations of the earth are out of course; rather, are shaken. The fundamental bases on which the life of man upon the earth rests, the very principles of morality, are shaken, and totter to their fail, when those whose place it is to administer justice pervert it and deal out injustice instead.
They know not, neither will they understand. Scarcely "an aside from the indignant judge," as Professor Cheyne suggests, much less a remark interpolated by the poet (Ewald, Hitzig). Rather a complaint of human perversity, addressed by Jehovah to the angelic host who are present (Psa_82:1). It is not an accidental and excusable ignorance, but a wilful and guilty one that is spoken of. They walk on in darkness. Loving darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil (Joh_3:19), they walked in the way of darkness (Pro_2:13). All the foundations of the earth are out of course; rather, are shaken. The fundamental bases on which the life of man upon the earth rests, the very principles of morality, are shaken, and totter to their fail, when those whose place it is to administer justice pervert it and deal out injustice instead.
★6I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
6-7. Though God admitted their official dignity (Joh 10:34), He reminds them of their mortality.
6-7. Though God admitted their official dignity (Joh 10:34), He reminds them of their mortality.
The Pulpit Commentary
I have said, Ye are gods; i.e. "in my Law I have called you gods"—I have given you this lofty name (see Exo_21:6; Exo_22:8, Exo_22:9), since ye judge on my behalf, "as my representatives" (Deu_1:17; 2Ch_19:6; Rom_13:1, Rom_13:2). And all of you are children of the Most High. Not therefore "gods" in the strictest sense, but possessing a derived, and so a qualified, divinity.
I have said, Ye are gods; i.e. "in my Law I have called you gods"—I have given you this lofty name (see Exo_21:6; Exo_22:8, Exo_22:9), since ye judge on my behalf, "as my representatives" (Deu_1:17; 2Ch_19:6; Rom_13:1, Rom_13:2). And all of you are children of the Most High. Not therefore "gods" in the strictest sense, but possessing a derived, and so a qualified, divinity.
7But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.
The Pulpit Commentary
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 (Psa_73:18). And fall like one of the princes; i.e. come to an untimely end, as so many "princes" have done (see Jos_12:9-24; Jdg_1:7; Jdg_3:21; Jdg_7:25; Jdg_8:21, etc.).
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 (Psa_73:18). And fall like one of the princes; i.e. come to an untimely end, as so many "princes" have done (see Jos_12:9-24; Jdg_1:7; Jdg_3:21; Jdg_7:25; Jdg_8:21, etc.).
8Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
8. As rightful sovereign of earth, God is invoked personally to correct the evils of His representatives.
8. As rightful sovereign of earth, God is invoked personally to correct the evils of His representatives.
The Pulpit Commentary
Arise, O God, judge the earth. The words of God (Psa_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. Psa_7:7, Psa_7:8; Psa_56:7; Psa_59:5). For thou shalt inherit; or, "for thou dost inherit." "God is the King of all the earth" (Psa_47:2), not of Israel only. All nations—the whole world—must be regarded as his possession or "inheritance."
Arise, O God, judge the earth. The words of God (Psa_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. Psa_7:7, Psa_7:8; Psa_56:7; Psa_59:5). For thou shalt inherit; or, "for thou dost inherit." "God is the King of all the earth" (Psa_47:2), not of Israel only. All nations—the whole world—must be regarded as his possession or "inheritance."
THE HOLY BIBLE
Psalms
Chapter 82
Translated out of the original tongues, and with the former translations diligently compared and revised.
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