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Psalms 82:1-8 Bible in Basic English (BBE)

1 <A Psalm. Of Asaph.> God is in the meeting-place of God; he is judging among the gods.

2 How long will you go on judging falsely, having respect for the persons of evil-doers? (Selah.)

3 Give ear to the cause of the poor and the children without fathers; let those who are troubled and in need have their rights.

4 Be the saviour of the poor and those who have nothing: take them out of the hand of the evil-doers.

5 They have no knowledge or sense; they go about in the dark: all the bases of the earth are moved.

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

7 But you will come to death like men, falling like one of the rulers of the earth.

8 Up! O God, come as judge of the earth; for all the nations are your heritage.

Commentary on Psalms 82 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible


PSALM 82

Ps 82:1-8. Before the great Judge, the judges of the earth are rebuked, exhorted, and threatened.

1. congregation—(Compare Ex 12:3; 16:1).

of the mighty—that is, of God, of His appointment.

the gods—or, "judges" (Ex 21:6; 22:9), God's representatives.

2. accept the persons—literally, "lift up the faces," that is, from dejection, or admit to favor and communion, regardless of merit (Le 19:15; Pr 18:5).

3, 4. So must good judges act (Ps 10:14; Job 29:12).

4. poor and needy—(Compare Ps 34:10; 41:1).

5. By the wilful ignorance and negligence of judges, anarchy ensues (Ps 11:3; 75:3).

out of course—(Compare Margin; Ps 9:6; 62:2).

6, 7. Though God admitted their official dignity (Joh 10:34), He reminds them of their mortality.

7. fall like, &c.—be cut off suddenly (Ps 20:8; 91:7).

8. As rightful sovereign of earth, God is invoked personally to correct the evils of His representatives.