Psalms 82

The Psalmist recordeth, that God presides in judgement: And he putteth the judges in mind of their office, checking their want of judgement and neglect with a threatening annexed against it.

1. A Psalm of Asaph: [See the Annot.on Psalms 45:1. and 50.1.] God standeth, [i.e. he is present, viz. As President and Soveraign or Supreme Judge] in the Congregation of God! [i.e. in his own Congregation; in the assembly which gathereth in his behalf, for his sake, and by his command, to do right, or administer Justice: See Deut.1.17. and 2 Chron.19.6. and Rom.13.1.] he judgeth [so namely, that he by providence and wisdom so steereth and ordereth their judgements, they must end in his glory; or, he judgeth, i.e. he observeth exactly, what sentences the Judges pronounce, rewarding the Judges, which pronounce righteous judgements, and punishing those that do mighteously oppress their subjects] in the midst of the Gods: [i.e. in the midst of Kings and princes, and of all Magistrates, they being all but his Vicegerents, Deputies or Lieutenants: See Exod.21.6. and 22.8,9,28. John 10:34.]

2. How long will ye judge unjustly, [Here the Prophet introduceth God himself, addressing his speech to the righteous judges: others, hold the Psalmist, speaks but in his own Person] and accept the face of the ungodly? [to accept the face, is here as much as to say, to favour them in judgement, that have an unrighteous cause, which God hath expressly forbidden, Lev.19.15. Deut.1.17. and 16.19. and 2 Chron.1.9,7. Prov.18.5. Lament Jer.2.19.] Sela!

3. Do right to the poor and the fatherless: [i.e. Plead for, protect, deliver them: See Psalms 43:1. Isa.1.17.] justify the oppressed, and the poor: [understand; if so be that the same have a just and righteous cause; then administer justice, let him enjoy his right, and right and further him; See Deut.25.1. and Jer.22.3.]

4. Deliver the poor and the needy, rescue (him) out of the hand of the wicked: [i.e. from them that have a bad or unjust cause, and seek to oppress the poor.]

5. They know not, nor understand not, [these Judges namely: they neither know nor weigh, that God is present among them at the Bench or Judgement seat; nor do they regard or care for his command or reproof: See Prov.29.7. Jer.10.21. Mich.3.1.] they walk continually in darkness: [to walk in darkness, is to live still in sin; 1 John 1.16. Eph.4.17,18. And 5.8. or, in darkness, that is to say, in ignorance] (therefore) do all the foundations of the earth shake: [as who should say. By this, or such carriage of Kings, Princes and Magistrates, it comes to pass, that things go so ill and perversely in the world, and from thence arise and spring forth all the troubles and calamites in Towns and Countries: See Isa.24.19,20.]

6. I have said indeed, ye are Gods; and ye are all children of the most high: [As if he said: I have honoured you indeed thus far, as to call you Gods, having appointed you to administer Justice and Judgement in my Name, etc. See Exod.21.6. and 22.9,28. John 10:34. and above, v.1.]

7. Never the less, you shall die, [Therefore you had need to walk and deal uprightly, remembering that you are to give account to God, of all your doings and deportments] as a man: [Heb. As Adam, i.e. as well a any other ordinary mortal men] and you shall fall, [i.e. die] as one of the Princes. [viz. That were and lived in times past, and are also dead now, every one of them: Others, and you (ye) chieftains, shall fall like others.]

8. Arise O God, judge the earth: [As the supreme Judge of the world: See Gen.18.25. as if he had said, LORD, do thou take the matter in hand once, and redress again that which those evil unjust Judges have brought to ruine and confusion] for thou possesses all the Nations: [Heb. Thou inheritest; and shalt inherit in all the Nations, i.e. thou dost and shalt forever possess as thy own peculiar and propriety (which is the most righteous possessing of an inheritance) all mankind wheresoever.