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Psalms 82 [Psalms 82:1] GOD STANDETH IN THE CONGREGATION OF THE MIGHTY; HE JUDGETH AMONG THE GODS. <<THE GODS>>: Hebrew "Elohim". This word can mean "gods" in the plural, or "God" in the singular or "judges" (Exodus 22:8) or "judge". The term according to the Commentators in some cases may also be applied to the angels or to one of the upper ranks of angel. [Psalms 82:2] HOW LONG WILL YE JUDGE UNJUSTLY, AND ACCEPT THE PERSONS OF THE WICKED? SELAH. God calls to the Judges i.e. the Mighty Ones and Rulers cf. THE SONS OF GOD [Hebrew: "Elohim"] SAW THE DAUGHTERS OF MEN THAT THEY WERE FAIR; AND THEY TOOK THEM WIVES OF ALL WHICH THEY CHOSE [Genesis 6:2]. Why do they give unfair rulings and adopt inequitable policies letting the wicked benefit while the good suffer? [Psalms 82:3] DEFEND THE POOR AND FATHERLESS: DO JUSTICE TO THE AFFLICTED AND NEEDY. Rulers should look after they who are vulnerable. In the long run this is for the good of society. Let no-one delude themselves, we are all liable under certain circumstance to fall on hard times, and if not us it could happen to our children or their children or it could have happened in the past to our forebears. I usually try to avoid speaking in denigration of the State of Israel but mistakes were made. In the 1950s and later a great many Jewish immigrants came from North Africa. They had suffered under the pro-Nazi French Vichy regime and from their Arab neighbors. Contrary to the myth of co-existence and a "Golden Age" life for Jews under Arab regimes was often a living hell. In Israel, they were taken care of but somewhat patronized and in a way (consciously or not) discriminated against and not enabled to realize their full potential. These people often had relatives who went to France since the Jews of North Africa had either come lived in former French colonies (such as Algeria) where they were given French citizenship or had been educated in French orientated Alliance schools. In France at the time there was a policy of encouraging large families. The North African Jews were basically sober, law-abiding, and industrious so in France they got on well. Their children often became doctors, and lawyers, successful business-people, etc though unfortunately they also frequently married non-Jews. The cousins of these same people in Israel where conditions where not so good did not get on so well but at least they usually remained Jewish. [Psalms 82:4] DELIVER THE POOR AND NEEDY: RID THEM OUT OF THE HAND OF THE WICKED. The Rulers and Judges meaning those in power including policemen, legislators, public officials, and all who have influence are called upon NOT to tolerate crime. Criminals may often emerge from poverty-stricken surroundings but they prey on their own more than they prey on others. They are wicked and they oppress the needy and weak. [Psalms 82:5] THEY KNOW NOT, NEITHER WILL THEY UNDERSTAND; THEY WALK ON IN DARKNESS: ALL THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE EARTH ARE OUT OF COURSE. If the authorities do not wake up to judge fairly, giving everyone their due and a fair chance and preventing exploitation the foundations of the world itself are liable to become destabilized. [Psalms 82:6] I HAVE SAID, YE ARE GODS; AND ALL OF YOU ARE CHILDREN OF THE MOST HIGH. <<GODS>>: Hebrew, "elohim". Rulers have been given their positions by the Almighty as a sign of favor and because if they so will they have the ability to judge righteously. If they do not use this opportunity to do good they have been given they are liable to be punished like anyone else who does badly is punished. [Psalms 82:7] BUT YE SHALL DIE LIKE MEN, AND FALL LIKE ONE OF THE PRINCES. [Psalms 82:8] ARISE, O GOD, JUDGE THE EARTH: FOR THOU SHALT INHERIT ALL NATIONS. <<O GOD>>: Hebrew, "elohim". We here find the very same word used both "judges" in the plural and for "GOD" in the singular. The Psalmist calls on the Almighty to arise and execute justice. |