Psalm 82
Restoring Justice
The Lord is a God of order. He is concerned with fairness and rules with justice. Therefore, God is especially concerned with crookedness, deceit and sleaze.
In this Psalm, we hear God speak directly against those perpetrators of corruption, but also in defence of those with no voice. God cares. God will rise up.
A psalm of Asaph.
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.
Who are the ‘gods’ referred to in verses 1, 5 & 6? While we might not land on a definitive answer, we must at least engage the question, as it will inform the application of the Psalm.
Some contend the ‘gods’ are a divine council gathered in the heavenly realms. They are the equivalent of those gathered before God in Job 1 or the “spiritual forces of dark” in Ephesians 6.
But others see these as human rulers, bequeathed authority by God himself (Romans 13.1). The ‘congregation’ in v1 is what Israel was frequently called in the Old Testament, particularly the congregation of the LORD (see Numbers 27.17 & Joshua 22.16). Like the judges in Israel were representatives of God (Exodus 21.6; 22.8), so are all rulers in form or another.
Christopher Ash leans toward the second option but also points out that all rulers are either filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1.13) or follow the ruler of the kingdom of the air (Eph 2.2). Therefore, while this Psalm might reference human rulers, it is still set within the cosmic and heavenly conflict. We will follow that line while opening up the rest of the Psalm. So here in v1, God is in the congregation of his people speaking judgement against the rulers (‘gods’), who walking in the way of darkness.
As with the previous Psalm, here we hear directly from God once again. He opens his address with a cross-examination (2) of the ‘gods’. He asks them how long they will continue in their corruption. They have manipulated the system, employing it to the benefit of their allies, the wicked ones. Instead of judging with integrity, they are marked by favouritism, and the evil are walking away scot-free. Doesn’t sound unfamiliar does it?
In the next two verses (3-4), God exhorts them to defend and rescue those who have no friends in high places. These are not the types of people that those hungry for power gravitate towards. They are described as “weak” (twice), “fatherless”, “poor”, “oppressed” and “needy”. But these are the ones God is concerned about. He wants those in positions of authority to seek truth and justice for all, not just their friends. They are to defend the needy, defend the rights of the weak, and rescue the poor from the schemes of the wicked. This is what righteousness looks like. And it is sadly missing all across our world.
God then speaks more broadly in v5, stating that when the ‘gods’ do not walk in God’s ways and light, they are in the dark and ultimately blind. And the outcome is that the foundations of a community or society are shaken and eroded. No real good or lasting flourishing can happen in a place like that. We see that across the world, where God’s ways are abandoned, and corrupt rulers lead their states and nations into the ground and grave.
God then speaks directly again to the rulers (‘gods’). He says they have special positions and privileges (6). Yet they are not immune to punishment and death (7). Those who reject God will tumble to the ground and grave. God will condemn them in his wrath. Isn’t this a comfort to us that God is concerned for justice? And isn’t this good news that corrupt rulers will be brought low?
The Psalm closes not with God’s words but our prayer in response. We have been reminded that God cares. Therefore we petition the Lord, asking him to rule with justice over all the world for it belongs to him. And wonderfully, we know he will. For God has already answered some of our prayers. As Paul said to the philosophers in Athens, Jesus is risen, and this is the evidence that he will return to judge the earth in righteousness, restoring order, defending the poor and rescuing the needy.
Glory be to God the Father, to whom all the nations belong and will bow before.
Glory be to God the Son, who is the righteous judge that will restore order.
Glory be to God the Spirit, who is the comforter for the poor, weak and needy.
Ever three and ever One.
Home Group: Ruth 1
What is the historical setting for the Book of Ruth? How does that shape our expectations of the story?
Do you think Elimelech’s decision to move to Moab was a positive one?
Naomi’s conversation with Orpah and Ruth is intense. How does Naomi urge her daughters-in-law not to return to Bethlehem with her (8-13)? What is remarkable about Ruth’s response (14-17)?
Why does Naomi rename herself Mara?
There is much despair in this chapter. Are there any notes of hope? Where do you see them?