Worthy.Bible » ASV » Psalms » Chapter 82 » Verse 1-8

Psalms 82:1-8 American Standard (ASV)

1 God standeth in the congregation of God; He judgeth among the gods.

2 How long will ye judge unjustly, And respect the persons of the wicked? Selah

3 Judge the poor and fatherless: Do justice to the afflicted and destitute.

4 Rescue the poor and needy: Deliver them out of the hand of the wicked.

5 They know not, neither do they understand; They walk to and fro in darkness: All the foundations of the earth are shaken.

6 I said, Ye are gods, And all of you sons of the Most High.

7 Nevertheless ye shall die like men, And fall like one of the princes.

8 Arise, O God, judge the earth; For thou shalt inherit all the nations. Psalm 83 A song. A Psalm of Asaph.

Commentary on Psalms 82 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible


PSALM 82

Ps 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.

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).

3, 4. So must good judges act (Ps 10:14; Job 29:12).

4. poor and needy—(Compare Ps 34:10; 41:1).

5. By the wilful ignorance and negligence of judges, anarchy ensues (Ps 11:3; 75:3).

out of course—(Compare Margin; Ps 9:6; 62:2).

6, 7. Though God admitted their official dignity (Joh 10:34), He reminds them of their mortality.

7. fall like, &c.—be cut off suddenly (Ps 20:8; 91:7).

8. As rightful sovereign of earth, God is invoked personally to correct the evils of His representatives.