Psalms 82:1-8

Psalm PSALM—NOTE ON Psalms 82:1. Some call this a community lament since it addresses God directly with a request on behalf of the whole people (v. Psalms 82:8). Others call it a prophetic hymn (like Psalms 81:1), interpreting its address to the “gods” (Psalms 82:6) as directed to unjust human rulers, whom God will judge. Both of these classifications have merit, which shows that one must use the psalm categories only in a general way. The psalm teaches that the people of God are called to aspire to be an ideal society, with their justice visible to all peoples, that all nations might come to know the true God (Deuteronomy 4:5).