Notes on the Book of Psalms, Psalm 82
The lxxxii. PSALM.
The Psalmist shews Princes and Magistrats what an eye God hath over them, perswades them therefore to do justice justly and impartially, and imploy their power for the defence and supportation of the helplest. But perceives men of that ranck so obdura…ed in their corrupt courses, for that, because they are above men, they scarce think they are under God, as that though he honours them for their places, yet he acquaints them with their natures. And prayes, if nothing will make them just and co…scionable, that God would punish their pride and injustice, and free the oppressed.
Psalm lxxxii. A Psalm of Asaph.A Psalm made by Asaph.
1GOd standeth in the congregation of the mighty: he judgeth among the Gods.1 THe Kings and rulers of the earth, how great and absolute soever they conceive themselves to be, Lording it over their subjects, and inferiours, without consideration of the conscience and duty of their places and offices, and of the account they owe and must pay to God thereof; yet for all that God heeds them, though they heed not him, he is amongst their counsels and judicatories, an eye and ear witness of their doings, and certainly, though invisibly, overlook their proceedings, and passeth his judgement upon them, and they shall one day find him as much over them in Sovereigntie and Power, as they are over others, to judge and condemn them for their irregularities.
2 How long will ye dare to persist in provoking the most high that sees you,2How long will ye judge unjustly: and accept the per…ons of the wicked? Selah. by executing unjust judgement and falsifying your trust, by partiall and personall respects, acquitting the guilty, and condemning the innocent, casting the scales of justice by the over-weight of private ends and by-respects, favouring the oppressour in his wrong-doing. How long I say will you do so?
3 Be warned,3Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. consider better of the matter, who it is that hath preferred you above your brethren, and why; God looks to find other fruit on such trees. As he hath given you Power and Authority, so he expects you should imploy it for the ends he gave it, and not contrary; that they that are wronged, and either for want of means or friends cannot defend themselves, but are like to suffer unjustly, should be supplied and supported by you, fail not therefore to do so, and to administer justice in the behalf of the poor afflicted, that are overpowered by men of might or violence.
4 Save the poor that are oppressed,4Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked. and that need your help to relieve them, set such free, and deliver them out of the power and malice of unconscionable wicked worldlings, that seek to undo them.
5 But a man,5They know not neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness, all the foundations of the earth are out of course. yea a Prophet from God, may tell them over the over again of their fault and danger, and yet they apprehend neither of both, nor indeed have they any mind at all to understand right instruction, but put away the light from them, chusing rather to walk in darkness, and to be unjust and wicked still. Is it not every where thus, are not of all men Magistrates most to blame? those that should yield the greatest support and settlement to Kingdoms and Republicks, and be a blessing to the people under them, do they not sad the the hearts of the innocent, countenance the nocent, cause mighty distractions, and draw down heavy judgements.
6I have said ye are Gods: and all of you are children of the most high.6 I know you think highly enough of your selves, and for my part I desire not to detract from Majestracy nor Magistrates, the one is Gods ordinance, and the other I have already acknowledged to be Gods, and so do still, affirm you to be his Deputies and Vicegerents here on earth, to whom he hath communicated Places and Offices of Honour and Authority, as earthly Princes are wont to do to their children.
7But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the Princes.7 And as I have told you what are in a Metaphoricall figurative sence, so let me tell you also what you are, and what you shall find your selves really to be, without any figure, that is, mortall men, such as no Titles nor distances can exempt, or priviledge from the common fate of all men, to die and rise to judgement; for you have not laid aside your nature by taking up your Title, but shall certainly come down from that degree you are advanced unto, and stoop to death, as every man of what ranck soever though equall with you, or superiour to you, have done before you.
8 And though you have been gods on earth,8Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations. yet shall you be judged by the God of heaven, who onelyonly is God indeed, and Sovereign Judge of all the world, and its well he is so, such miserable disorder have you brought, and will bring all things unto, if you may be suffered in your Tyrannicall and unjust ways, for nothing will reclaim you, no doctrine, though from God himself, whether exhortation or commination; so that my prayer shall be, that God would by his power judge you for thus misjudging and misgoverning, and do the inhabitants of the earth right upon such Princes and Judges as do them wrong, and let them know that the earth, yea, every Kingdom and Countrey in it is the Lords and not theirs, though they Lord it in their severall dominions, as if right of inheritance and not thy donation were their chief investiture, they pay thee no homage, therefore distrein for thy glory as Lord Paramount, and proprietor of what they count theirs and not thine, as one day thou wilt be sure to do.