The Book of Psalms Paraphrased, Book 3 · Psalm 82
PSALM LXXXII.
A Pſalm of Aſaph.
ARGUMENT.
Though there had been a notable Reformation made by Jehoſaphat, (2 Chron. XIX. 5, 6, &c.) of thoſe corruptions, which had been growing in the ſupreme Court of Judicature at Jeruſalem, as well as in the leſſer in other Cities, ever ſince the times of David and Solomon (who took care to ſee Juſtice done, 1 Chron. XVIII. 14. 1 King. III. 9, 28.) yet it appears, by the frequent complaints of Iſaiah, that when Hezekiah (in whoſe days that Prophet lived) came to the Crown, there was a general depravation again; and that notwithſtanding the amendment he had made in matters of the Divine Worſhip (2 Chron. XXX. XXXI.) and his reſolutions and indeavours no queſtion, to reform the abuſes which were in their civil Judicatures, (as I have expounded Pſal. LXXV. 2, 3.) they continued ſtill exceeding corrupt. Inſomuch that Iſaiah calls their Judges Rulers of Sodom, I. Iſa. 10. (when he finds no fault with their religious Services, Ver. 11, 12, &c.) and ſays their Princes were rebellious, companions of thieves, loving gifts, and following after rewards, Ver. 23.
Where it is evident he deſcribes the Judges in the higheſt Court of all; who are called by the name of Princes in ſeveral places: particularly in Jeremiah: who being condemned by the Prieſts and Prophets and People, as a man worthy to die, XXVI. Jer. 8, 9. was brought before the Princes Verſe 10, 11. at whoſe Bar he cleared himſelf ſo well, that they acquitted him, Ver. 16.
And as there they are called Princes, with reſpect to their ſuperiority over the people; ſo here in this Pſalm they are called Elohim Gods, in reſpect to the fountain of their power, which was from the moſt High: who honoured them with his own Name; which is ſo frequent for thoſe of the ſupreme Court, that ſome, not unreaſonably, underſtand thoſe words, IX. Judges 13. which we render, Cheers the heart of God and man, in this manner, Wine alike cheers both Princes and People, Judges and Clients, the meaner perſons (called in this Pſalm Adam Man, Ver. 6, 7.) as well as the greateſt, who in oppoſition to them are called Gods. Whom Aſaph (who lived in the times of Hezekiah, 2 Chron. XXIX. 30. ſee Pſalm LXXIII.) admoniſhes to be more carefull in their duty; and to remember that God obſerved them, and would judge them.
1. GOD ſtandeth in the congregation of the mighty: he judgeth among the gods.
1. REmember, O ye Judges, whoſe Miniſters you are, (2 Chron. XIX. 6.) and conſider, that you are not ſo powerfull, but GOD who hath put you in his place, and honoured you with his Name, (XXII. Exod. 28.) is far greater: and as He is preſent in your Court to obſerve what you do; ſo will call you to a ſtrict account, and ſeverely puniſh you, if you judge amiſs.
2. How long will ye judge unjuſtly, and accept the perſons of the wicked? Selah.
2. How dare you then pronounce an unrighteous Sentence? Is it not time to leave off your partiality? and no longer to favour a bad cauſe, becauſe the man is rich and great; and can either give you a large bribe, if you will judge it for him; or doe you a miſchief, if you give ſentence againſt him.
3. Defend the poor and fatherleſs: do juſtice to the afflicted and needy.
3. Your duty is, to doe equal juſtice to all men that come before you; and to take a particular care, that the poor and the fatherleſs do not ſuffer, becauſe they have no money to give, nor any friend to ſolicit, for the defence of a righteous Cauſe: and that the men of low condition, and ſuch as are reduced to very great want, be not condemned; when they are injuriouſly proſecuted, by thoſe who are above them.
4. Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.
4. See that you protect and deliver him, that is quite exhauſted and miſerably oppreſſed with poverty: let them not become a prey to violent men, who have no conſcience; but put it out of their power to undoe them.
5. They know not, neither will they underſtand; they walk on in darkneſs: all the foundations of the earth are out of courſe.
5. Theſe are the conſtant admonitions, which the men of God give the Judges; but alas! hitherto they have little prevailed. For they will not ſtudy the Laws of God; or if they do, will not think it their intereſt to be governed by them: but are blinded by bribes, or by their corrupt affections, to doe any thing that they would have them; inſomuch that the Foundations of the Kingdom, which are Juſtice and Truth, are ſhaken; all things are in confuſion, and in danger to come to utter ruin, V. Iſa. 23, 24. X. 1, 2, 3.
6. I have ſaid, Ye are gods: and all of you are children of the moſt High.
6. Hear therefore the ſentence of God upon you, (whoſe words theſe are) I have put my Majeſty upon you; and, though you be no more then other men in your ſelves, have by my conſtitution raiſed you to ſuch a dignity on earth, as my celeſtial miniſters have in heaven:
7. But ye ſhall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.
7. Yet this ſhall not privilege you in your unjuſt proceedings; but ſince you have no regard to me, nor to your Office, I will have as little regard to you: for you ſhall periſh like one of the common men, without any reſpect to your honour; and be thrown down from your ſeats, like the Tyrants and cruel Oppreſſours that have been before you.
8. Ariſe, O God, judge the earth: for thou ſhalt inherit all nations.
8. Let us ſee this ſentence fulfilled, O God, the righteous Judg; and do not ſuffer the inſolent iniquity of theſe men any longer: but redreſs all thoſe evils wherewith ſuch men have filled not onelyonly this Nation, but all the world: which belongs to Thee, and Thou wilt one day ſure vindicate mankind, as the juſt owner of them, from the tyranny of thoſe impious Governours; who now abuſe them, as if they had an abſolute dominion over them.