Asaph
Psalm 82
A Psalm of Asaph.
Scripture (KJV)
1God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods.
2How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.
3Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.
4Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.
5They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course.
6I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.
7But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.
8Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations.
Summary
Psalm 82 is a bold vision of God standing in the congregation of the mighty and judging among the "gods"—earthly rulers and judges who fail to do justice. God indicts them: "How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked?" He commands them to defend the poor and fatherless, do justice to the afflicted and needy, and deliver them from the hand of the wicked. The rulers walk in darkness, and the foundations of the earth are out of course. God then declares, "I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High"—a verse Jesus quotes in John 10—yet they shall die like men and fall like princes. The psalm closes with a plea for God Himself to arise and judge the earth, for He shall inherit all nations.
The major themes are justice, the poor and needy, the "gods," divine judgment, and God’s inheritance of the nations. Practically, the psalm teaches that those who hold authority are accountable to God for how they treat the vulnerable. The great lesson is that God is the ultimate judge who will arise and inherit all nations.
Key Themes
A Prayer from Psalm 82
God stands in the congregation of the mighty; He judges among the gods. How long will I judge unjustly and accept the persons of the wicked? Defend the poor and fatherless; do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy from the hand of the wicked. Let me not walk in darkness while the foundations of the earth are out of course. You have said, "Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High." Arise, O God, judge the earth, for You shall inherit all nations. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Reflection Questions
- 1What does this psalm teach about God’s expectation of those in authority?
- 2How does Jesus’ use of verse 6 in John 10 deepen its meaning?
- 3What does it mean that "the foundations of the earth are out of course"?
- 4Where do I need to defend the poor and fatherless in my own life?
Related Psalms
Psalm 58
“Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men?”
A protest against unjust rulers and confidence in God’s righteous judgment.
Read morePsalm 75
“Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks, unto thee do we give thanks: for that thy name is near thy wondrous works declare.”
Thanksgiving that God judges with equity and cuts down the boastful.
Read morePsalm 50
“The mighty God, even the Lord, hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof.”
God’s judgment on formal worship without thanksgiving and obedience.
Read morePsalm 73
“Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.”
A struggle with the prosperity of the wicked resolved in God’s presence.
Read morePsalm 94
“O Lord God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself.”
A prayer for justice against oppressors and comfort for the weary.
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