Seventh-day Adventist Bible CommentaryPsalms 82

Francis D. Nichol (ed.) and contributors

Psalms 82:1

God. Heb. ’Elohim (see Vol. I, pp. 170, 171). Standeth. Or, “taketh His stand,” as in convening or joining an assembly. Mighty. Heb. ’El, “God” (see Vol. I, p. 171). “The congregation of the mighty [God]” may refer to Israel in general (see Num. 27:17; 31:16; Joshua 22:16, 17), or specifically, from the context, to the assembly of magistrates, to whom God delegates the authority of administering justice. Gods. Heb. ’elohim, here possibly “judges,” as ’elohim is translated in Ex. 21:6; Ex. 22:8, 9. Judges may be called ’elohim in the sense that judges are representatives of God’s sovereignty (see Ex. 7:1).

Psalms 82:2

How long? God, the Sovereign Judge, speaks to Israel’s judges. Accept the persons. Showing partiality on account of circumstances or position was forbidden in Israel (see Lev. 19:15; Deut. 1:17; Acts 10:34). Selah. See p. 629.

Psalms 82:3

Defend. Compare Isa. 1:23; Jer. 5:28. Do justice to. Not only hear their causes, but render true justice in decisions.

Psalms 82:4

Rid them. Or, “snatch them away.”

Psalms 82:5

They know not. This verse seems to be a parenthetical observation of the psalmist, making vivid, as by an illustration, God’s denunciation of unjust judges (see Ps. 53:4; 73:22). In darkness. Refusing to know God, they are unqualified for their divinely imposed duty of rendering just judgment (see Prov. 2:13; John 3:19). Foundations of the earth. Probably here the fundamental principles of moral government. Out of course. When unjust judges administer the law, the essentials of moral government totter and fall. Earthly government, which should reflect God’s government, turns into anarchy.

Psalms 82:6

Gods. Heb. ’elohim (see on v. 1). On the Saviour’s use of this verse, see John 10:34–38.

Psalms 82:7

Men. Heb. ’adam, “mankind” (see on Ps. 8:4; also on Gen. 1:26). Princes. Persons of exalted rank. Even though they were called ’elohim (see on vs. 1, 6), they will die for their unfaithfulness.

Psalms 82:8

Arise. Compare Ps. 3:7.

Inherit all nations. In the words of John, “The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ” (Rev. 11:15; cf. Dan. 2:44, 45).