Ps 82:1-8.
Before the great Judge, the judges of the earth are rebuked, exhorted,
and threatened.
1. congregation--(Compare
Ex 12:3; 16:1).
of the mighty--that is, of God, of His appointment.
the gods--or, "judges"
(Ex 21:6; 22:9),
God's representatives.
2. accept the persons--literally, "lift up the faces," that is, from
dejection, or admit to favor and communion, regardless of merit
(Le 19:15;
Pr 18:5).
Psalm 82 Bible Commentary
Jamieson, Faussett, and Brown
Ps 82:1-8. Before the great Judge, the judges of the earth are rebuked, exhorted, and threatened.
1. congregation--(Compare Ex 12:3; 16:1).
of the mighty--that is, of God, of His appointment.
the gods--or, "judges" (Ex 21:6; 22:9), God's representatives.
2. accept the persons--literally, "lift up the faces," that is, from dejection, or admit to favor and communion, regardless of merit (Le 19:15; Pr 18:5).
3, 4. So must good judges act (Ps 10:14; Job 29:12).
4. poor and needy--(Compare Ps 34:10; 41:1).
5. By the wilful ignorance and negligence of judges, anarchy ensues (Ps 11:3; 75:3).
out of course--(Compare Margin; Ps 9:6; 62:2).
6, 7. Though God admitted their official dignity (Joh 10:34), He reminds them of their mortality.
7. fall like, &c.--be cut off suddenly (Ps 20:8; 91:7).
8. As rightful sovereign of earth, God is invoked personally to correct the evils of His representatives.