Psalm 82, A Plea for Justice
interpretation - meaning - commentary - explanation
A Psalm of Asaph.
(1) God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods.
The psalm refers to the time of the Last Judgment. God (Jesus) will judge those who are not written in the Book of Life. Who are these gods? These include unjust earthly judges, false prophets, cruel kings, sell-out politicians, rich men who value money more than human life, and others who have great influence over the fate of people (since many psalms are translated ambiguously, i.e., they refer to both David and Jesus or some event in the future this particular case may also be about the Israelites). All of them, instead of performing well in office, contributed to the downfall of society by their conduct. Because of their position, which placed them above ordinary people, they were called gods.
As we read in the Bible, it was mainly through the kings of Israel that the nation drifted away from God. When these worshipped Baal, the people did so as well, whereas when the king exterminated the priests of Baal and destroyed the temples on the hills, the people returned to the Creator. One man could spiritually destroy an entire country, so at this gathering he was called a god, which does not mean that he was the Creator God. In the role of these gods one can, also, insert those who dragged down the mass of other people, such as the self-proclaimed messiahs so popular nowadays, or religious leaders who, instead of leading the way of truth, follow the way of decline. It should be remembered that each of us has free will and the godlessness of these so-called gods should not be a reason and justification for rejecting God.
(2) How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.
God reproaches them for the injustice they have been guided by. Unjust judgments most often result from the desire for profit, to maintain power, influence or corruption. Every bribe we give causes us to contribute to the spread of evil. Would you rather trust God or enrich a thief?
(3) Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.
God has commanded that judgments be rendered justly, whether it is about the poor or the rich, or about our friends or family. In life, we are to always be guided by justice. How difficult it is for us to judge a friend or loved one when there is someone unknown or wrong on the other side, but who is right in the dispute.
(4) Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.
God shows us what we should do. We should have no mercy for lawlessness and ungodly acts, and we should be firm, which is not always easy, such as the priest Heli, who, although he was so close to God, could not make order with his sons who desecrated the position entrusted to them. One can have God in one's heart, talk to him, and yet not have the inner strength to deal honestly with one's own family when the family is at fault. Those who act justly in such situations are often pointed out later, called traitors and ignored by family members, but this should not discourage us from following the path God has set for us.
Human greed closes the door to God
(5) They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course.
Power so blinds one's common sense that the person closes himself to the call of God.
(6) I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.
Once again, these rulers of the earth were called gods. They did not have a divine nature, but they had social standing and influence over others, so they were considered gods. This verse was quoted by Jesus, as we read in John 10.34 "Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?"
(7) But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.
A man who has such power often stands above the law, it seems to him that he is unpunished. And while on earth he may have acted with impunity, at God's judgment he will be judged justly, his end will be death.
(8) Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations.
Psalmist asks God to judge mankind. When will this take place? At the second coming of Jesus Christ. Jews in ancient times believed that there would be a court where all people would be judged, where evil would be destroyed.
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