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Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents
82:5-7 The "Gods" Who Fail in Their Task. The next section describes God's verdict on those rulers who refuse to carry out their divinely given assignment. In saying that they have neither knowledge nor understanding (v. 5), the psalm is speaking of the moral perception necessary for promoting justice (cf. 1 Kings 3:9). When such people rule, the foundations of the earth (the moral principles that God instilled in the creation order) are shaken (cf. note on Ps. 11:3). There is only one true God Most High, however; as for these unjust "gods," like (other) men they shall die, and fall like any prince. The Lord will have the last word, vindicating his justice.
82:6 You are gods. John 10:34-35 tells how Jesus cited this text in a debate (see note on Ps. 82:1) to deflect criticism for calling himself the Son of God. Since the title "Son of God" is sometimes a designation of David's heir (see note on 2:7), Jesus is probably inviting his audience to reflect more deeply on its implications. sons of the Most High. If these are Gentile rulers, they serve the purposes of God, who is the highest of all powers. This may suggest that Israelite rulers are especially in view, since Deut. 14:1 calls God's people his "sons" (i.e., the whole people is God's "son," cf. Ps. 80:15; and the members are each "sons"). In this latter case, the injustice is even more reprehensible since it defies the gracious covenant of God.
