Psalms 82

Psalms 82:1-8

God judging among the judges. A psalm of Asaph. Because God is returning in grace to Israel, however, judgment must take its course against stubborn wrong-doers; and these are (alas) especially they who have occupied the places of rule and judgment among them. The wresting of judgment must be stopped with a strong hand, and the places of authority purged from their defilement with evil. And for this God Himself must take the judgment-seat and rule among men: and this He is ready to do, not alone in Israel, though beginning there, but over all the earth.

1. He stands, therefore, in the midst of what is His own assembly, and which is now to be the seat of power upon earth, the assembly of El, the Mighty One, in truth. He is there for judgment among the “gods,” a term which the Lord defines for us from this very psalm (ver. 6) as “those to whom the word of God came” (John 10:35), -that is, who were commissioned to represent Him -the judges of Israel. They were thus identified with Him whom they represented, and were responsible in the most solemn way to represent Him in His character also, both in His righteousness and in His love to men. Here then is the ground of His challenge to them, and in the first place as to what is first -the fundamental thing in judgment: it must be righteous judgment. Here is what must govern in the manifestation of love itself. And so the first appeal is: “How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked?” Their conduct was in flagrant contradiction to their position as representatives of the Righteous God, and with whom is “no respect of persons.”
2. But this cared for, they must manifest Him also on His salvation side, in His regard for the poor, the weak, the defenceless, and the oppressed. “Judge the weak and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and destitute.” It must be still justice: that must not be violated even in pity to the poor; and there was a special commandment as to this (Exodus 23:3). Yet his poverty should nevertheless make him an object of special and tender interest: “Rescue the weak and needy: deliver him out of the hand of the wicked.”
3. But the state of things is apparent. There is no heart, and therefore no knowledge: “they know not, neither do they understand”: they are in darkness, for they are not with God, and God is light. But they do not need light for their course: their want of knowledge does not bring them to a stand; -“they walk on in darkness.” Thus “all the foundations of the earth” -judgment and mercy which establish it -“are removed.” There is nowhere any moral stability.
4. Thus failing in justice, the perverters of it must themselves fail and pass away. Their position is a lofty one. They are, as it were, gods: children of the Highest, every one of them. But that will be no security: they shall fall like the mere earthly princes that are anywhere found. The movement of the foundations must bring down -little as they may believe it, -their own house in ruins also.
5. Who shall succeed them? Is there to be only an endless succession of men like these? Nay, the earth groans and longs for God Himself. He must arise; and He will. There is no resource but in Him: no refuge for the creature but in God. “Arise, O God! judge the earth.” And that is what shall be: the earth is His; and He shall take His inheritance; not Israel only; but with Israel, all the nations. Thank God, that blessed time is surely almost at the doors.