Psalm 82 Explained

Psalm 82 

Psalm 82 tells a story about a day during which the divine council gathered & the I AM THAT I AM entered the Assembly chamber & held court in the manner ANE (Ancient Near East)monarchs (and, later on) European monarchs once did.   

God has taken his place in the divine council;
    in the midst of the gods he holds judgment:

• In heaven & wherever else, God appears to interrogate, accuse, judge, legislate, & commission the Royal Court, which is composed of representatives of each & every order of being who are present in as many administrations the plot requires. 

• In the ANE, it was customary for warlords, monarchs, & other sorts of despots to call themselves sons of God. Some (like Caesar Augustus, Nero, & others).   The text isn’t affirming that the members of Titanomachy, angels, &/or non-angelic people, animals, &/or anyone or anything else qualifies as a deity of any sort.   Rather, God is simply addressing them on the own level. 

For example, it isn’t uncommon for the some Mormons to claim that Elohim is a god, even though in truth, their own theology states/teaches that Elohim is an Exalted Man who is also the god people should worship.  In fact, it is patently obvious that their soteriology teaches that they too will one day be exalted people & gods themselves or, at the barest minimum lesser gods than Elohim. 

2 

“How long will you judge unjustly)
    and show partiality to the wicked? 

• In both heaven & earth, God accuses certain members (or all of them) of practicing favoritism that favors the wicked, 

Selah

• A hush falls over the crowd throughout the Realm.

3 

Give justice to the weak and the fatherless;
    maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute.

• In heaven & earth God reminds them of the Law & Gospel delivered to them from the past to the present day (and beyond). 

4 

Rescue the weak and the needy;
    deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”

• In both heaven & earth. God instructs them on how to do so.

5 

They have neither knowledge nor understanding,
    they walk about in darkness;
    all the foundations of the earth are shaken.

• This verse describes those whom God is accusing in both heaven & earth (& both under & around the Earth).   Not only are those governed by the Heavenly & Earthly courts weak, needy, & ignorant — so is the local & cosmic Aristocracy in both heaven & earth (& both under & around the Earth). 

6 

I said, “You are gods,
    sons of the Most High, all of you;

• God is not calling them bona fide gods.  He is, in the manner of an accusing them, reminding them that they are not gods.  Rather they are merely created beings to whom He has given power & authority.  He is also mocking them. 

7 

nevertheless, like men you shall die,
    and fall like any prince.”

• God judges them & judicially puts them in their place. 

8 

Arise, O God, judge the earth;
    for you shall inherit all the nations!

• The Psalmist celebrates what God has done & faiths Him to continue doing justice for His people

a.  Psalm 82:7 Or fall as one man, O princes

Incidentally, this text follows the form of suzerain covenant. 

O LORD. Hear our prayer(s)