Psalm 82
A Psalm of Asaph Depicting God’s Judgment on Israel’s Leadership
The author Asaph was the great singer and musician of David and Solomon’s era (1 Chronicles 15:17-19, 16:5-7; 2 Chronicles 29:13). 1 Chronicles 25:1 and 2 Chronicles 29:30 add that Asaph was a prophet in his musical compositions. - David Guzik
Asaph was one of David's chief musicians (1 Chronicles 6:39; 15:17,19; 16:5,7; 2 Chronicles 5:12). He was also the ancestor of a group of temple musicians (Ezekiel 2:40-41). The name might have come to represent his descendants or the musicians who followed him rather than Asaph himself. - Kevin R. Warstler and Sheri L. Klouda
In this psalm, God is depicted as the ultimate Judge over a divine council that pronounces judgment on the “gods,” or human authorities (1). The unjust rulers in view were likely those of the nation of Israel, but the psalmist also petitioned God to bring justice to all the earth because all the nations belong to Him (8).
God Pronounces Judgment
Among the gods
Vs. 1 - God stands in the divine assembly; he pronounces judgment among the gods:
The writer envisioned God sitting as Judge over a gathering of human judges, the judges that lived in every town in Israel. The human judges in Israel served as God’s judicial representatives among His people. The Hebrew word translated "rulers" (NASB) or "gods" (NIV) is elohim (lit. strong ones). This word usually describes God in the Old Testament, but sometimes it refers to the strong ones in Israel, namely, the human rulers or authorities (cf. Psalms 45:6; Exodus 21:6; Exodus 22:8-9). It does not refer to angels here (cf. Ephesians 6:12) as the Syriac translators thought. This is clear from the context. It does not refer to the gods of the heathen either. - Thomas Constable
Injustice And Partiality
Vs. 2 (NLT) - How long will you hand down unjust decisions by favoring the wicked?
The psalm was evidently composed at a time when there was much that was unjust and oppressive in the administration of justice; when the magistrates were corrupt; when they could be bribed; when they were forgetful of their obligation to defend the poor and the fatherless - the afflicted and the needy; when manifest consequences of the evil administration of justice prevailed in the land. - Albert Barnes
Provide and Rescue
Vs. 3-4 - Provide justice for the needy and the fatherless; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute. Rescue the poor and needy; save them from the power of the wicked.
God’s concern for oppressed, powerless, and marginalized people is a recurring theme throughout the scriptures. Those he placed in positions of power were consistently tasked with remembering the forgotten of society, with upholding the value and dignity of each individual human as a reflection of the image of their Creator. Asaph lamented the partiality and neglect of Israel’s leadership. They were not reflecting the character of God in the exercise of their authority.
This is required everywhere in the Scriptures. The meaning is not that judgment is to be pronounced in their favor because they are poor, or because they are orphans, for this would be to do what they had just been charged with as in itself wrong, accepting of persons. The idea is, that the poor and the fatherless, having no natural protectors, were likely to be wronged or oppressed; that they had none to defend their claims; and that magistrates, therefore, as if they were their natural protectors, should see that their rights were maintained. - Albert Barnes
You Will Die
Vs. 6-7 - I said, “You are gods; you are all sons of the Most High. However, you will die like humans and fall like any other ruler.
Asaph described the overconfidence and ignorance of the unjust rulers before pronouncing their judgment. They had been appointed to an office of power, but their position would not protect them from punishment. They were both mortal and accountable.
God warned the unjust judges that they themselves would suffer judgment for their injustice. God had appointed them as "gods" (i.e., individuals with power by God’s authority). He had made them His sons in the sense of His representatives on earth. Nevertheless because they had not behaved as God, who judges justly, they would die as mere men without honor as God’s sons.
Jesus’ accusers charged Him with blasphemy when He claimed to be the Son of God (John 10:33). In replying to their accusation, Jesus quoted Psalms 82:6 to remind them that God called Israel’s judges His sons. His point was that it was not inappropriate for Him to call Himself the Son of God. - Thomas Constable
Rise Up, God
Vs. 8 - Rise up, God, judge the earth, for all the nations belong to you.
Asaph closed the psalm with a plea to God to take His place as the ultimate Judge. The unjust judges of Israel had their own area of authority, but God’s authority is over all the earth. This prayer called upon God to do what the earthly judges would not do: properly judge the earth. Human judges had failed, so Asaph asked God to take judgment into His own hands. - David Guzik
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. - Albert Barnes
