Day 159

Psalm 82

Asaph begins with a picture of God in the midst of ‘the rulers,’ standing in authority.

A judge sits when he hears causes but stands up when he gives sentence. God’s standing in the midst of these ruling ones is to bring judgment amoung them. The word ‘gods’ here is Elohim, the plural for god. In v2 ‘you’ is plural. Elohim is here best taken as a reference to human judges, who as delegates, stand in the place of God in their ability to determine the fate of others. (The NASB & NLT translates Elohim as rulers.) They are accountable to Him. Jesus referred to them as such in John10:34-39.

This assembly of ‘rulers’ was to confront them for judging unjustly and for showing ‘partiality to the wicked.’ This confrontation shows God Himself the Judge at the ultimate Supreme Court. The idea of God calling the judges of the earth into special judgment is worthy of sober reflection; Selah.
God’s instruction to the judges of this earth (v3-4) is to do their duty in defending those who are often treated unjustly. c.f.2Chro19:6-7. 
In v6-7 God pronounces judgment on the unjust judges. These human judges stood in the place of Elohim above other people. They had the opportunity and the authority to change people’s lives with a word, or sometimes even to end a life.

In John10:34-39 Jesus quoted v6 in a debate with religious leaders when they accused Him of claiming to be God in a sinful, wrong way. Jesus reasoned, “If God gave these unjust judges the title ‘gods’ because of their office, why do you consider it blasphemy that I call Myself the ‘Son of God’ in light of My testimony and My works?”

In still speaking to Israel’s earthly judges, God reminded them that they – and all of humanity – ‘are children of the Most High.’ C.f. Acts17:28-31.
Asaph closed the psalm with a plea to God to take His place as the ultimate Judge. The unjust judges of Israel had their own area of authority, but God’s authority is over all the earth.

The second advent is still earth’s brightest hope of justice. Come quickly, even so, come, Lord Jesus!