Tyndale Open Study NotesPsalms 82

God condemns those who mistreat the helpless.

• God is ready to give judgment (see Isaiah 3:13).

• divine assembly: See Job 1:6.

Because justice defines God’s rule (Psalm 89:4), he does not support the wicked. The psalmist is confused by this situation and cries out to God to bring justice (Psalm 82:3–4, 8).

Unjust oppressors cannot bring or restore order. They wander about in darkness, unmoved by circumstances, even when the whole world order falls apart around them (compare Psalm 11:3).

The gods (see study notes on Psalm 29:1–2; 58:1), like mere humans, cannot escape the judgment common to human rulers. Jesus quoted from this passage in John 10:34.

The nations belong to God. He will take over the realms formerly ruled by local gods and give them to his people, just as he did with the promised land.