Psalms 82:1-8 - Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

Reader Related Verse
Bible Comments

LXXXII. Against Iniquitous Rulers. Jewish rulers are meant, as is plain from Psalms 82:3 f.

Psalms 82:6 f. The use of the word God in Psalms 82:6 f. is ironical. The great men bear themselves as if Divine, but have to die like other men. [But see on Psalms 58:1. A. S. P] princes: read, demons. The writer may have had Genesis 6:1-4 * in mind.

Psalms 82:8. inherit: read, rule. But the verse is a later addition. God's rule over the heathen has nothing to do with administration of justice in Israel, and there is no reason for begging God to rise and judge, for this He is already doing.

Related Commentaries of Psalms 82:1

Psalms 82:1-8

1 God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods.

2 How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.

3 Defenda the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.

4 Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.

5 They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course.

6 I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.

7 But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.

8 Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations.