This, too, is a “Psalm of Asaph.” See Introduction to Psalms 73. There is nothing, however, in its contents to determine the time or the occasion of its being composed, although there is no difficulty in ascertaining the design for which it was written, or the use to be made of it. It is intended to... [ Continue Reading ]
GOD STANDETH IN THE CONGREGATION OF THE MIGHTY - In the assembly of the rulers and judges; among those of most exalted rank and station. He is there to observe them; to give them law; to direct their decisions; to judge them. He is supreme over them; and he holds them responsible to himself The word... [ Continue Reading ]
HOW LONG WILL YE JUDGE UNJUSTLY - literally, Judge evil. This is designed, evidently, to denote the prevailing character of the magistrates at the time when the psalm was written. Unhappily such occasions occur very often in the course of human affairs. AND ACCEPT THE PERSONS OF THE WICKED? - litera... [ Continue Reading ]
DEFEND THE POOR AND FATHERLESS - literally, judge; that is, Pronounce just judgment; see that right is done to them. 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 b... [ Continue Reading ]
DELIVER THE POOR AND NEEDY - That is, Deliver them from the power and the arts of those who would oppress and wrong them. This would not be showing them partiality; it would be simply doing them justice. RID THEM OUT OF THE HAND OF THE WICKED - Deliver, or Rescue them from their hands; that is, fro... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY KNOW NOT, NEITHER WILL THEY UNDERSTAND - This is designed still further to characterize the magistrates at the time referred to in the psalm. They not merely judged unjustly, and were not merely partial in the administration of justice Psalms 82:2, but they did not desire to understand their du... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE SAID, YE ARE GODS - See the notes at Psalms 82:1. I have given you this title; I have conferred on you an appellation which indicates a greater nearness to God than any other which is bestowed on men - an appellation which implies that you are God’s representatives on earth, and that your dec... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT YE SHALL DIE LIKE MEN - You are mortal, like other people. This fact you have forgotten. You have been lifted up with pride, as if you were in fact more exalted than other people; as if you were not subject to the law which consigns all people to the grave. An ancient monarch directed his servan... [ Continue Reading ]
ARISE, O GOD, JUDGE THE EARTH - 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... [ Continue Reading ]