Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents

Psalm 82. Some call this a community lament since it addresses God directly with a request on behalf of the whole people (v. 8). Others call it a prophetical hymn (like Psalm 81), interpreting its address to the "gods" (82:6) as directed to unjust human rulers, whom God will judge. Both of these classifications have merit, which shows that one must use the psalm categories only as a rule of thumb, because the Psalms do not always fit neatly in only one category. Singing this psalm should enable the faithful, many of whom were socially weak and lowly in Israel (as often was the case with the early Christians as well; cf. 1 Cor. 1:26-28), to take courage in the face of unjust rule, so that they do not yield to the ever-present temptation to cooperate with the injustices of their wicked rulers. Even the most powerful rulers must die and face God's final judgment. The song should also help those who hold social and political power to use that power in service to others, especially to protect those who are easiest to exploit. The people of God are called to aspire to be an ideal society, with their justice visible to all peoples, that all nations might come to know the true God (Deut. 4:5-8); Christians are called to the same aspiration for their own present society. They must also testify about God's justice to their wider culture, since, as Prov. 31:1-9 shows (see note there), this kind of justice is applicable to all mankind; this is what properly functioning human nature looks like everywhere.

82:1-4 The Task of the "Gods." The first section gives the job description of human rulers (the gods), especially those who rule God's covenant people: they are to give justice to the weak and the fatherless, and rescue the weak and the needy . . . from the hand of the wicked (vv. 3-4). Far too often, however, they judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked (i.e., people who take the lead in opposing God's purpose and oppressing others). The words of the psalm do not specify whether the rulers are Israelites, or Gentiles ruling Israel as a subject state (as in the Babylonian or Persian Empires). Both the ideal Davidic king in Psalm 72 and the ideal Gentile ruler in Prov. 31:1-9 are called to protect the powerless from those who would oppress them. Certainly the people of God should aim to embody this most clearly.