For those who may wish to ‘study’ this chapter, the following simple resources are provided for you. Each passage has a four-Part approach to help you take in and think further about what you have read.

Passage: Psalm 82

1 God presides in the great assembly;
    he renders judgment among the ‘gods’:

2 ‘How long will you defend the unjust
    and show partiality to the wicked?
3 Defend the weak and the fatherless;
    uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.
4 Rescue the weak and the needy;
    deliver them from the hand of the wicked.

5 ‘The “gods” know nothing, they understand nothing.
    They walk about in darkness;
    all the foundations of the earth are shaken.

6 ‘I said, “You are ‘gods’;
    you are all sons of the Most High.”
7 But you will die like mere mortals;
    you will fall like every other ruler.’

8 Rise up, O God, judge the earth,
    for all the nations are your inheritance.

A. Find Out:

1. How is God shown in this psalm? v.1,8
2. What complaint does He make? v.2
3. What does He tell them to do? v.3,4
4. What words of judgement does He speak to them? v.5-7

B. Think:

1. If the ‘gods’ were kings of the earth, what are they called to do?
2. What had they obviously been failing to do?

C. Comment:

The only problem about this psalm is the reference to ‘gods’ (v.1,6) who are even called ‘sons of the Most High’ (v.6). The fact is that we know there are not lesser gods because the Bible is clear that they are simply the handiwork of man. It can’t mean angels because the Bible doesn’t show them having the role shown here, and powers and principalities that Paul speak about similarly don’t have such roles. The most likely meaning is men in authority, kings and rulers. In this context ‘gods’ are simply men that others look up to because they wield power and authority.

Having concluded that, the psalm is then simple and straight forward. The psalmist sees a vision of God who as The great ruler and judge, presides over all earthly rulers and calls them to account (v.1). He first of all accuses them of being unjust and impartial (v.2). In a Fallen World rulers often misuse their position and power. The Lord calls them to look after the weak and fatherless, the poor and oppressed (v.3) and to defend them from the wicked (v.4). Here, as if often seen in the Bible, God’s compassion for the weak and needy is seen.

But then it is as if the Lord speaks about these earthly rulers. Great and mighty they may be, but really they know nothing and wander around unseeing and can do nothing when the earth is shaken (v.5). God calls them what men call them, ‘gods’ for they are all made in the image of God, sons of God in this respect (v.6) but they are still men and they will still die (v.7) while God continues eternally ruling

D. Application:

1. If you have a position of power, don’t abuse it.
2. If you have this, remember you’re still human and not God!