United Commentaries

Ps.82.1-8

God condemns those who mistreat the helpless.

Ps.82.1

God presides and stands ready to render judgment (see Isa 3:13).

heaven’s court: See Job 1:6.

Ps.82.2

Since justice marks God’s reign (89:4), he opposes favoring the wicked. So the psalmist is perplexed and cries out to God for justice (82:3-4, 8).

Ps.82.5

The unjust oppressors cannot bring or restore order. They wander about in darkness, unmoved by circumstances even when the whole world order falls apart around them (cp. 11:3).

Ps.82.6-7

The gods (see study notes on 29:1-2; 58:1), like mere mortals, cannot escape the judgment common to human rulers. Jesus quoted from this passage in John 10:34.

Ps.82.8

The nations belong to God; he will take over the realms formerly ruled by local deities and give them to his people, just as he did with the Promised Land.