Psalms 82:3

Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. DEFEND THE POOR AND FATHERLESS - literally, 'Judge,' etc., in contrast to dismissing unheard those who appeal to them for justice, as the unjust judge for a length of time dismissed the widow who came unto him continually, saying, "Avenge me of mine adversary" (; cf. ). Every prince, saith Luther, should get these three verses, yea, the whole psalm, painted upon the walls of his room, upon his bed, over his table, and even upon his clothes. For here they will find what high, princely virtue their situation demands; so that assuredly worldly supremacy, next to the office of the ministry, is the highest service of God, and the most profitable duty upon earth....

3_Determine the cause of the poor and the orphan. _We are here briefly taught that a just and well-regulated government will be distinguished for maintaining the rights of the poor and afflicted. By the figure synecdoche, one part of equitable administration is put for the whole; for it cannot be doubted that rulers are bound to observe justice towards all men without distinction. But the prophet, with much propriety, represents them as appointed to be the defenders of the miserable and oppressed, both because such persons stand in need of the assistance of others, and because they can only obtain this where rulers are free from avarice, ambition, and other vices. The end, therefore, for which judges bear the sword is to restrain the wicked, and thus to prevent violence from prevailing among men, who are so much disposed to become disorderly and outrageous. According as men increase in s...

1-5 Magistrates are the mighty in authority for the public good. Magistrates are the ministers of God's providence, for keeping up order and peace, and particularly in punishing evil-doers, and protecting those that do well. Good princes and good judges, who mean well, are under Divine direction; and bad ones, who mean ill, are under Divine restraint. The authority of God is to be submitted to, in those governors whom his providence places over us. But when justice is turned from what is right, no good can be expected. The evil actions of public persons are public mischiefs....

Verse Psalms 82:3. _DEFEND THE POOR_] You are their natural _protectors_ under God. They are _oppressed: punish_ their _oppressors_, however rich or powerful: and _deliver them_....

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 be to do what they had just been charged with as in itself wrong, accepting of persons; that is, showing favor on account of condition or rank, rather than on account of a just claim. The idea is, that the poor and the fatherless, having no natural protectors, were likely to be wronged or oppressed; that they had none to defend their claims; and that magistrates, therefore, as if they were their natural protectors, should see that their rights were maintained. See the notes at Isaiah 1:17. Do justice to the afflicted and needy -...

EXPOSITION Two different explanations have been given of the general bearing and intention of this psalm—one, recently advocated by Professor Cheyne, that it is a denunciation of the angels whom God has put in charge of the earth (see Daniel 10:13; Daniel 12:1), on account of the violence and injustice which they have connived at and permitted; the other, that it is a denunciation of the human judges in Israel, who are corrupt and oppressors of the people. The objection to the former view is, first, that the angels are nowhere else taxed with wrong doing, or with anything worse than folly (Job 15:15); and, secondly, that it is inconceivable that God should entrust the government of the world to such imperfect and

DEFEND THE POOR AND FATHERLESS,.... Or, judge d them; such as have no money to enter and carry on a suit, and have no friends to assist and advise them, and abide by them; these should be taken under the care and wing of judges; their cause should be attended to, and justice done them; their persons should be protected, and their property defended and secured for, since they are called gods, they ought to imitate him whose name they bear, who is the Father of the fatherless, the Judge of the widows, and the helper of the poor that commit themselves to him, Psalms 10:14, such a righteous judge and good magistrate was Job; see Job 29:12, DO JUSTICE TO THE AFFLICTED AND NEEDY; or "justify" e them, pronounce them righteous, give the cause for them, not right or wrong, nor because they are poor and

Psalms 82 Concerning Judgment _ 1. The judge with His righteous judgment (Psalms 82:1)_ 2. Arise O God! judge the earth (Psalms 82:6) His own presence in the congregation of God (Israel) means a righteous judgment. Israel is then owned as His congregation (Numbers 27:17). The judges among them were called gods; the Hebrew word for judges in Exodus 21:6 is “elohim”--gods, mighty ones. Our Lord refers to this Psalms 82:6 in...

LXXXII. AGAINST INIQUITOUS RULERS. Jewish rulers are meant, as is plain from Psalms 82:3 f. PSALMS 82:6 F. The use of the word God in Psalms 82:6 f. is ironical. The great men bear themselves as if Divine, but have to die like other men. [But see on Psalms 58:1. A. S. P] PRINCES: read, demons. The writer may have had Genesis 6:1 * in mind. Psalms 82:8. inherit: read, rule. But the verse is a later addition. God's rule over the heathen has nothing to do w

DEFEND. Vindicate. Compare verses: Psalms 82:1; Psalms 82:2. THE POOR. oppressed. Hebrew. _'ebyon. a_ helpless or expectant one. See note on Proverbs 6:11....