We all love to be encouraged, empowered, and lifted up. We should gather people around us who love us and seek the best for us, and we should expect those individuals to speak encouraging words.
God is our model, and he speaks love and life over us. But does he only declare positive statements? In our emotionally driven culture, we often shy away from the idea of God’s loving correction. In other words, we don’t want a God to tell us we are wrong.
However, if we have friends and a community around us who love us, should they not address destructive behavior? Yes, in love, but doesn’t love include correction?
The Bible is clear that parents and friends should hold one another accountable for what is true and right. Otherwise, we destroy ourselves and others. Just as God’s love corrects us, so should we to one another.
Psalm 82:6 contains a mysterious phrase, “Ye are gods.” Jesus also refers back to this phrase in one of his teaching moments.
What is God trying to say through this phrase? Is he being positive and encouraging? Perhaps, in his love, he has a deeper purpose by saying, “Ye are gods.”
What Is the Biblical Context of Psalm 82:6?
The phrase, Ye are gods, appears at the center of Psalm 86. Psalm 86 is written by Asaph, and his name is attributed to 12 psalms in the Book of Psalms.
King David set up worship to the Lord and the Ark of the Covenant in a separate tent outside of Jerusalem, called the Tabernacle of David. Part of that worship was constant praise before the Ark of God.
In 1 Chronicles 6:39, King David appointed Heman to be the primary musician and singer, and Asaph was appointed as Heman’s main assistant, along with the Merarites. 2 Chronicles 5:12 credits Asaph with leading praise and worship at the dedication of Solomon’s temple in Jerusalem.
Asaph was trained through King David’s revolutionary new praise and worship system in Jerusalem and became a leader once the new temple was built by King Solomon.
Psalm 82 begins by defining God as the one who stands among an assembly of mighty ones, his court in heaven, and God judges among those Elohim, plural for divine beings such as angels.
Asaph next asks a question of the audience: How long will you judge with partiality and bring injustice through your leadership?
The judges of Israel were a system of leadership of tribes throughout the nation, men who helped to resolve disputes between those in their care according to the law of God. They were meant to judge according to righteousness and justice, not corruptly or impartially.
The psalm continues to give clear instructions about justice to the nation of Israel, primarily the judges and leaders. They were to defend the poor and the orphan, to bring justice to those in need, and to set the afflicted free from wicked people.
Asaph returns to the criticism of Israel’s judges in verse 5. The leaders don’t know or understand, like people in darkness. The world’s foundations are chaotic and unstable.
Then we get verse 6: “You are gods, and all of you are children of the Most High. But you shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.”
Israel’s call was to be like the heavenly counsel, and they were the Lord’s special people with a transcendent purpose on the earth. However, since they were failing and bringing injustice, they would die like normal, regular human beings, not the divine ambassadors Israel was meant to be.
Ultimately, Psalm 82 is a call to justice and a condemnation of the unjust practice of Israel’s corrupt leadership.
What Are Other Bible Verses That Mention Humans Being Divine?
The concept of humans being described in divine terms or having a unique relationship with the divine is found in various passages throughout the Bible.
While these verses do not imply that humans are equal to God, they do highlight the special role, identity, and connection that humans have with the divine.
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them (Genesis 1:26-27).
This foundational passage emphasizes that humanity is uniquely created in the image and likeness of God, reflecting divine attributes, and giving authority and responsibility from the image of God.
What is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor (Psalm 8:4-5).
This psalm marvels at God's consideration for humanity and acknowledges that humans have been given a special position of honor, being made just a little lower than heavenly beings.
The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs — heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him (Romans 8:16-17).
This passage highlights the profound relationship believers have with God through the Holy Spirit, identifying them as His children and co-heirs with Christ.
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire (2 Peter 1:3-4).
This passage speaks of believers becoming “partakers of the divine nature” through God's promises and power, implying a transformative and intimate connection with the divine.
While humans are not considered equal to God, these passages highlight the unique attributes, responsibilities, and potential that humans have been granted as creatures made in the image of God and recipients of His grace.
What Does Psalm 82:6 ‘Ye Are Gods’ Mean?
The context of Psalm 82 is a divine council scene where God is depicted as presiding over a gathering of heavenly beings or divine judges.
The Psalm begins with God taking His place in the divine assembly and pronouncing judgment upon these beings who were entrusted with the authority to rule and administer justice.
The phrase “Ye are gods” in verse 6 is a quote attributed to God, referring to both divine and Israel’s judges or rulers.
This concept of calling earthly judges “gods” is consistent with the Semitic use of the term, which often applied divine titles to human rulers or authorities.
In the ancient Near Eastern context, the title “god” was sometimes used to denote a ruler's authority and divine appointment, without implying an actual deity.
Jesus references Psalm 82:6 in John 10:34-35 during a conversation with the Pharisees. He uses it to illustrate the principle that those to whom the word of God came could be metaphorically called “gods.”
Jesus emphasizes that if this term can be applied to human judges, how much more fitting it is for Him, who is the Son of God and truly unique in His divine relationship.
The implication of Psalm 82’s judgment upon Jewish leadership wouldn’t have been lost on the Pharisees and scribes in the audience. While primarily used to support his divine claim, being both God and man, Jesus was also reminding the Jewish leaders of the day of their failures.
As in other scriptures (see the woes in Matthew 23 for reference), Jesus reiterated the call of God for Israel to be compassionate and just, being a light unto the nations, yet they had failed to fulfill the call.
As usual, Jesus’ teaching contained levels of complexity better understood in the context of Psalm 82’s original message, while also declaring something new — he was the Son of God and fully divine and human, the perfect judge and leader for Israel and the world.
What Does ‘Ye Are Gods’ Mean for Christians Today?
While the original context of Psalm 82:6 refers to divine judges or rulers, its relevance extends beyond the ancient setting and offers valuable insights for us today day.
1. Identity as children of God. The phrase “Ye are gods” underscores the biblical teaching that we are children of God, especially in the New Covenant.
In the New Testament, Jesus emphasizes this truth by referring to Himself as the Son of God and by offering believers the opportunity to become children of God through faith in Him.
Understanding that we are spiritually connected to God as His children highlights our unique identity, relationship, and inheritance as part of His family.
2. Reflection of God's image. The phrase also echoes the concept that we are created in the image and likeness of God.
Just as ancient judges were to represent divine justice on Earth, we who are disciples of Jesus are called to reflect God's character, love, and righteousness in our lives.
This teaching emphasizes the importance of moral and ethical living, as well as embodying Christ-like attributes in our interactions with others.
3. Spiritual authority and responsibility. While we may not possess divine authority in the same sense as ancient judges, we have spiritual authority through Christ. This authority involves the power to overcome sin, darkness, and spiritual opposition.
It also entails the responsibility to share the message of salvation, bring healing, and contribute to the advancement of God's kingdom on Earth.
We must do this with integrity and sobriety, understanding the seriousness of our call as ministers of God’s reconciliation. (2 Corinthians 5:11-21).
4. Unity with Christ. The concept of believers being “gods” in a metaphorical sense aligns with the New Testament teaching of believers being united with Christ.
This union emphasizes we are partakers of Christ's divine nature and are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Through this unity, we are empowered to live transformed lives and fulfill our purpose in God's plan.
5. Service and ministry. Just as the divine judges were to administer justice and care for the vulnerable, and with Jesus’ example of ministry to the poor and sick, we must demonstrate compassion, mercy, and justice in our interactions with the world.
This can manifest through acts of kindness, social justice advocacy, and a commitment to alleviating suffering.
6. Stewardship of creation. As stewards of God’s creation, we are called to care for the earth and its resources, recognizing their responsibility to protect and preserve the environment for future generations.
The phrase "Ye are gods" carries profound implications for Christians today. While its original context referred to ancient judges, its metaphorical application resonates with our identity as children of God and the calling and responsibility that accompanies our identity.
Embracing these truths can inspire us to live purposeful and impactful lives, guided by our faith and relationship with God.
For further reading:
How Does God Differ from Man-Made Gods?
What Do You Mean There Are Other Gods?
Why Does God Say 'Thou Shalt Have No Other Gods Before Me'?
Can Christians Speculate about the Lord’s Divine Council?
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