Psalms 82

God presides in the great assembly; he judges among the gods. Wesley: Standeth—to observe all said or done; Mighty—kings or chief rulers; The gods—judges and magistrates commissioned by God as his deputies. God sits as supreme Judge over earthly judges.

The council scene is moral and magisterial, not speculative theater. Hear God inspecting those who bear his name in office.

Calvin: although men occupy thrones, God holds the office of supreme ruler; civil order is the assembly of God; gods means judges marked with his glory—not angels. He erects a throne from which he judges princes and represses their pride.

God judges among the gods. Magnates may not arrogate exemption; lawful government reflects his majesty and remains under his rule.

“How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Selah” Wesley: How long—the psalmist speaks in God's name; Accept—sentence according to respect or affection to the person. Partiality to the wicked is rebuked under God's eye.

Selah invites pause over crooked judgment. Ask how long; do not baptize favoritism as prudence.

Calvin: after laying the foundation that God rules among them, the prophet freely reproves princes who sell themselves to oppressors and are gained by bribes—wicked men find more favor than the simple and innocent.

The judges rule unjustly and show partiality. Open the mouth against tyranny under the truth that God rules among rulers.

Give justice to the weak, the poor, and the fatherless. Maintain the rights of the poor and the destitute. The weak, fatherless, afflicted, and destitute are the measure of just rule.

The plain duty still stands. Defend those who cannot buy a verdict.

Calvin: a just government is distinguished by maintaining the rights of the poor and afflicted; by synecdoche one part of equity stands for the whole. Rulers are appointed defenders of the miserable—where free from avarice and ambition.

Justice for weak and fatherless. The sword restrains the wicked so violence does not prevail.

Rescue the weak and needy. Deliver them out of the hand of the wicked. Both sides agree: rescue and deliverance from the wicked's hand is the magistrate's charge.

Deliverance language is active—rid them out. Office exists to extract the needy from predatory power.

Calvin: rescue the poor and afflicted; deliver them out of the hand of the wicked. Judges bear the sword to restrain the wicked and prevent violence among those disposed to outrage.

Strength without defense of the weak is not the office God named "gods."

They don’t know, neither do they understand. They walk back and forth in darkness. All the foundations of the earth are shaken. Wesley: They—the magistrates; Know not—duty of their place; Nor will—ignorance is wilful; Walk on—constant sinful course; Foundations—corruption flows from supreme rulers to inferiors. Both traditions see: wilful dark walking shakes social foundations.

Ignorance here is refusal, not mere lack of data. When rulers walk in darkness, foundations tremble—lament and call them back.

Calvin: admonition is ineffectual; though heaven and earth are in confusion, they continue thoughtless. Dazzled with splendor, they shake off every yoke; sound wisdom begins by yielding God his honor. Many take shaken foundations as unjust tyranny undermining society—Calvin does not reject that reading.

No knowledge, darkness, foundations shaken. Secure neglect of duty is madness when the world reels.

I said, “You are gods, all of you are sons of the Most High.” Wesley: Have said—I have given you my name and power to rule in my stead; All—rulers of Israel and other nations; Children—representing my person and authority. The title "gods" is commission, not flattery.

The name is gift and trust. Bearing God's name in office heightens accountability rather than canceling it.

Calvin: God has invested judges with a sacred character and title; this will afford no protection to wicked judges. He has not divested himself of sovereignty; they must appear at heaven's judgment-seat. Christ cites this in John 10:34 of those to whom the word of God came.

Ye are gods, all of you are sons of the Most High. Dignity is temporary; it cannot excuse wickedness.

Nevertheless you shall die like men, and fall like any prince.” Wesley: Like men—or like ordinary men. Both note: mortal fall strips the sacred title of false security.

Princes fall like other men. Do not trust the bench more than the Judge who gave it.

Calvin: frailty is recalled to stir fearful execution of office; the dignity with which they are clothed is temporary and will pass away with the fashion of the world.

Sacred office does not cancel death or final judgment.

Arise, God, judge the earth, for you inherit all of the nations! Wesley: Arise—take the sword of justice into thine own hand. Shared close: when human gods fail, God himself must judge and inherit the nations.

The plea hands the sword back to God. Pray for his public justice over all nations—not for private revenge.

Calvin: finding remonstrances ineffectual, the prophet calls on God to repress insolence. When no power on earth restrains tyrants, lift eyes to heaven; he does not claim the office of judging the world in vain. He has rightful claim to all nations' obedience; tyrants wrest his prerogative when they confound right and wrong.

Arise and judge; inherit the nations. Comfort under cruel treatment: seek redress from the world's true Judge.