[1] God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods.
Standeth — To observe all that is said or done there.
Mighty — Kings or chief rulers. By their congregation he understands all persons whatsoever of this high and sacred order.
Judgeth — Passes sentence upon them.
The gods — Judges and magistrates are called gods, because they have their commission from God, and act as his deputies.
[2] How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? /*Selah*/.
How long — The psalmist speaks to them in God's name.
Accept — By giving sentence according to your respect or affection to the person.
[5] They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course.
They — The magistrates of whom this psalm treats.
Know not — The duty of their place.
Nor will — Their ignorance is wilful.
Walk on — They persist: it is their constant course.
In darkness — In their sinful courses.
The foundations — This corruption of the supreme rulers, flows from them to their inferior officers and members.
[6] I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.
Have said — I have given you my name and power to rule your people in my stead.
All — Not only the rulers of Israel, but of all other nations.
Children — Representing my person, and bearing both my name and authority.
[7] But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.
Like men — Or, like ordinary men.
[8] Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations.
Arise — Take the sword of justice into thine own hand.
Psalm 82 Bible Commentary
John Wesley’s Explanatory Notes
Verse 1
[1] God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods.
Standeth — To observe all that is said or done there.
Mighty — Kings or chief rulers. By their congregation he understands all persons whatsoever of this high and sacred order.
Judgeth — Passes sentence upon them.
The gods — Judges and magistrates are called gods, because they have their commission from God, and act as his deputies.
Verse 2
[2] How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? /*Selah*/.
How long — The psalmist speaks to them in God's name.
Accept — By giving sentence according to your respect or affection to the person.
Verse 5
[5] They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course.
They — The magistrates of whom this psalm treats.
Know not — The duty of their place.
Nor will — Their ignorance is wilful.
Walk on — They persist: it is their constant course.
In darkness — In their sinful courses.
The foundations — This corruption of the supreme rulers, flows from them to their inferior officers and members.
Verse 6
[6] I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.
Have said — I have given you my name and power to rule your people in my stead.
All — Not only the rulers of Israel, but of all other nations.
Children — Representing my person, and bearing both my name and authority.
Verse 7
[7] But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.
Like men — Or, like ordinary men.
Verse 8
[8] Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations.
Arise — Take the sword of justice into thine own hand.