Psalms 82

Chapter Summary

The chapter begins with God standing in the divine council, judging the gods or rulers of the earth for their corruption and injustice, as seen in Psalms 82:1. The psalmist then addresses these rulers, condemning their wickedness and calling them to defend the weak and fatherless, as stated in Psalms 82:2-4. The rulers are reminded that they will die like men, despite their claims to divinity, as mentioned in Psalms 82:6-7. The psalm concludes with a call for God to rise up and judge the earth, as expressed in Psalms 82:8. Throughout the chapter, the psalmist emphasizes God's sovereignty over all rulers and His concern for the welfare of the vulnerable, highlighting the importance of justice and righteousness.

Context for the Chapter

Psalms 82 is part of the collection of psalms known as the Asaph psalms, which are characterized by their emphasis on God's sovereignty and justice. The chapter is likely set in a time of great turmoil and corruption, where the rulers of the earth are oppressing the weak and fatherless. The psalm serves as a call to justice and righteousness, emphasizing God's concern for the vulnerable and His desire for justice and righteousness to prevail.

Heart Application

This chapter calls us to examine our own lives and to seek justice and righteousness in all that we do. As believers, we are called to defend the weak and fatherless, and to stand up for what is right, even in the face of corruption and injustice. We are also reminded of God's sovereignty over all rulers and His ultimate authority and power.

What Does This Chapter Mean?

Psalms 82 is a call to justice and righteousness, emphasizing God's sovereignty over all rulers and His concern for the welfare of the vulnerable. The chapter portrays God standing in the divine council, judging the gods or rulers of the earth for their corruption and injustice, as seen in Psalms 82:1. It calls for the rulers to defend the weak and fatherless, and to judge the earth with righteousness, as expressed in Psalms 82:2-4.

Voices from the Church

“This psalm is a solemn warning to all who are in authority, to remember that they are accountable to God for their actions. It is a call to justice and righteousness, and a reminder that God will judge all rulers for their corruption and injustice.”

— Charles Spurgeon

“The divine council is a gathering of gods or rulers in heaven, where God stands in judgment over them. This is a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty over all rulers and His concern for justice and righteousness.”

— John Calvin

Outline for Preaching

1. God's Judgment on Corrupt Rulers (Psalms 82:1-4) — The chapter begins with God standing in the divine council, judging the gods or rulers of the earth for their corruption and injustice.
2. Call to Justice and Righteousness (Psalms 82:2-4) — The psalmist calls for the rulers to defend the weak and fatherless, and to judge the earth with righteousness.
3. The Rulers' Fate (Psalms 82:5-7) — The rulers are reminded that they will die like men, despite their claims to divinity.
4. Call for God to Rise Up and Judge (Psalms 82:8) — The psalm concludes with a call for God to rise up and judge the earth, emphasizing His sovereignty over all rulers and His concern for justice and righteousness.
5. Conclusion (Psalms 82:8) — The chapter concludes with a call for God to rise up and judge the earth, emphasizing His sovereignty over all rulers and His concern for justice and righteousness.

Core Doctrines

God's Sovereignty

The chapter emphasizes God's sovereignty over all rulers and His ultimate authority and power. This is seen in Psalms 82:1, where God stands in the divine council, judging the gods or rulers of the earth.

Justice and Righteousness

The chapter calls for justice and righteousness, emphasizing the importance of defending the weak and fatherless. This is seen in Psalms 82:2-4, where the psalmist calls for the rulers to defend the weak and fatherless.

Accountability

The chapter reminds us that all rulers are accountable to God for their actions, and that they will be judged for their corruption and injustice. This is seen in Psalms 82:1, where God stands in the divine council, judging the gods or rulers of the earth.

Redemption

The chapter looks forward to the day when God will rise up and judge the earth, redeeming His people and establishing justice and righteousness. This is seen in Psalms 82:8, where the psalmist calls for God to rise up and judge the earth.

Lessons from Psalms 82

1. The Importance of Justice and Righteousness — The chapter emphasizes the importance of justice and righteousness, and calls us to defend the weak and fatherless. This is a key lesson for us today, as we seek to establish these values in our own communities.
2. The Danger of Corruption and Injustice — The chapter warns us about the dangers of corruption and injustice, and reminds us that all rulers are accountable to God for their actions. This is a powerful reminder of the importance of integrity and righteousness in leadership.
3. The Sovereignty of God — The chapter emphasizes God's sovereignty over all rulers and His ultimate authority and power. This is a key doctrine that gives us hope and comfort in the face of injustice and corruption.
4. The Call to Accountability — The chapter reminds us that all rulers are accountable to God for their actions, and that they will be judged for their corruption and injustice. This is a powerful call to accountability, and reminds us of the importance of living with integrity and righteousness.
5. The Hope of Redemption — The chapter looks forward to the day when God will rise up and judge the earth, redeeming His people and establishing justice and righteousness. This is a key doctrine that gives us hope and comfort in the face of injustice and corruption.

Themes from Psalms 82

1. God's Sovereignty — The chapter emphasizes God's sovereignty over all rulers and His ultimate authority and power. This is a key theme that gives us hope and comfort in the face of injustice and corruption.
2. Justice and Righteousness — The chapter calls for justice and righteousness, emphasizing the importance of defending the weak and fatherless. This is a key theme that reminds us of the importance of establishing these values in our own communities.
3. Accountability — The chapter reminds us that all rulers are accountable to God for their actions, and that they will be judged for their corruption and injustice. This is a key theme that reminds us of the importance of living with integrity and righteousness.
4. Redemption — The chapter looks forward to the day when God will rise up and judge the earth, redeeming His people and establishing justice and righteousness. This is a key theme that gives us hope and comfort in the face of injustice and corruption.
5. The Divine Council — The chapter portrays God standing in the divine council, judging the gods or rulers of the earth for their corruption and injustice. This is a key theme that emphasizes God's sovereignty over all rulers and His concern for justice and righteousness.

Questions for Meditation

1. What does the chapter reveal about God's character, and how does this impact our understanding of His sovereignty and justice?
2. How does the chapter call us to defend the weak and fatherless, and what are some practical ways we can do this in our own lives?
3. What does the chapter teach us about the fate of corrupt rulers, and how does this serve as a warning to us today?
4. How does the chapter emphasize the importance of justice and righteousness, and what are some ways we can seek to establish these values in our own communities?
5. What does the chapter reveal about God's plan for redemption, and how does this give us hope and comfort in the face of injustice and corruption?

Detailed Chapter Outline

Frequently Asked Questions

Top Cross References

Sermons on Psalms 82

	Sermon	Description
	Testimony - Part 3 by Jackie Pullinger	In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the overwhelming number of people in need in Hong Kong. They express a desire to understand and love the people in their community, but feel
	The Wise Man's Eyes by Carter Conlon	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding God's purpose and following His path. He references Solomon, who briefly understood God's work in the earth b
	God at Work in Every Womb (Sanctity of Human Life Sunday) by John Piper	In this sermon, John Piper emphasizes the importance of living a life dedicated to serving others and alleviating suffering. He urges Christians to prioritize helping the weak, fat
	(Through the Bible) John 9-10 by Chuck Smith	In this sermon, the speaker discusses a scenario where someone's jacket goes missing and their neighbor is found wearing it. The situation is taken to the judges to determine who t
	An Alarm to the Unconverted 2 of 5 by Joseph Alleine	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of self-examination and the danger of being deceived about one's spiritual state. He challenges the listeners to honestly ass
	Pride Is a Family Characteristic by Bob Utley	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the dangers of pride and arrogance in both individuals and nations. He emphasizes that the root problem of evil is the desire to focus everyt
	Holl-09 Israel in the Cosmic Drama by Art Katz	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of having a prophetic perspective that considers eternity and its impact on the present. He calls out the church in Holland to
	No Longer a Slum Dog - New Book by K.P. Yohannan	This sermon by K.P. Yohannan, President of Gospel for Asia, focuses on the plight and suffering of children, particularly the Dalit community in India and neighboring nations. He s
	If My People - Part 1 by Shane Idleman	This sermon emphasizes the importance of addressing controversial topics and recapturing the prophetic zeal in churches. It highlights the impact of the Johnson Amendment on church
	William Booth Recording (Audio Restored) by William Booth	In this sermon, the preacher addresses the various struggles and hardships faced by different groups of people in society. He mentions the unemployed, criminals, and women engaged

Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on Psalms 82

Matthew Henry's commentary on Psalms 82 emphasizes the importance of justice and righteousness, and the danger of corruption and injustice. Henry notes that the chapter portrays God standing in the divine council, judging the gods or rulers of the earth for their corruption and injustice, as seen in Psalms 82:1. He also emphasizes the importance of defending the weak and fatherless, and calls for the rulers to judge the earth with righteousness, as expressed in Psalms 82:2-4. Henry reminds us that all rulers are accountable to God for their actions, and that they will be judged for their corruption and injustice, as seen in Psalms 82:5-7. He concludes by noting that the chapter looks forward to the day when God will rise up and judge the earth, redeeming His people and establishing justice and righteousness, as seen in Psalms 82:8. Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →

What Do You Notice?