A Brief Explication of the Other Fifty Psalms, Psalm 82
PSAL. LXXXII. A Psalme of Asaph.
THis Psalme agreeth with the time of Davids persecution by Saul and his Counsellors, the Peeres of the land, wherein the Psalmist comforteth himselfe in Gods supremacy, and his Judging of all Judges on the earth; for exercising whereof God cometh unto their meeting, ver. 1. Then challengeth them for their injustice and oppression, ver 2. Thirdly, readeth the law and rule of their duty unto them, ver. 3. 4. Fourthly, condemneth them as guilty ver. 5. Fifthly, pronounceth sentence of doom upon them, ver. 6, 7. And then the Psalmist closeth the Psalm with prayer, ver. 8.
Ver. 1. GOd standeth in the congregation of the mighty: he judgeth among the gods.
From the Lords presence in the Assembly of Judges; Learn▪ 1. The name of a Congregation or Church, is given in Scripture in the orderly meeting of Rulers and Governours, met for the execution of their office; as here, God standeth in the Congregation or Church of the mighty. 2. No Judge is absolute Lord over a people, but in subordination to God, who is Judge above all Judges, and will judge of all the decrees of Judges under him. God standeth in the congregation of the mighty: he judgeth. 3. God doth put his Name upon civil Magistrates, and hath clothed them with honour; that as their eminency is a part of his image, so their decrees should be such as God will owne; He judgeth among the gods.
Ver. 2. How long will ye judge unjustly: and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.
From the Lords challenging of them for their partiality and injustice, Learne, 1. Men in honour and power, readily do forget God their Master and Sovereign Lord; and do neglect to do justice according to their office: the splendour of their power doth make them forget their duty to God above them, and to their subjects under them, as the instance of the Rulers of I… sheweth, who had Gods expresse law in stead of Acts of Pa… ment: and God dwelling in the midst of them in a wonde… manner, for direction in extraordinary cases, even they … judge unjustly. 2. Corrupt Judges are inclined to shew … only to the wicked, and are partiall when the cause of the wicked cometh before them: Ye accept the persons of the wick…. 3. Albeit the Lord keep peace for a while, yet will he no al… be silent, but at length will call them to an accompt; How … will ye judge unjustly?
Ver. 3. Defend the poor and fatherlesse: do justice to the afflicted and needy.
4. Deliver the poor and needy: ridde them out of the hand of the wicked.
From the rule of justice which is set to Magistrates; Le…, 1. The touchstone of Magistrates justice is in the causes and cases of the poor, fatherles, afflicted and needy, who are not able to attend long their suits of law, have no friends nor money to deal for them; to whom therefore the mighty should be eyes to direct them, and a staffe to their weaknesse, to support and helpe them to their right; Defend the poore and fatherlesse; is justice to the afflicted and needy. 2. As the poor and afflic… have need of the Judges help, to clear their right, when they seek justice: so also when they are unjustly drawn to the …, or any way oppressed, the mighty or Judges should interpose for their reliefe, and rescue the oppressed from the oppressour: Deliver the poore and needy, rid… them out of the hand of the wicked.
Ver. 5. They know not, neither will they understand, they walke on in darknesse: all the foundatio… ▪ of the earth are out of course.
From the condemnatory sentence for their guiltinesse; L…, 1. It is a great fault in a Judge, not to know the duty of his office, or not to acquaint himself with the solid rules of justice, for upon this ground are they here pronounced g… ty: They know not: 2. It is a great fault when a … …, to refuse instruction, information, and direction …ed from the Lords Word, as here: Neither will they under…. 3. It is yet most culpable of all, for any man, but to …ges in special, to go on still in a sinful course; They walk on … darknesse. 4. When justice, and judgement-seats are corrpted, and Judges do not mind justice in their places, then the …ars of that land or kingdome must stagger, and all matters … to ruine or a perillous alteration: All the foundations of the … (or of the land) are out of course, saith the Lord, where the foresaid injustice or faults in Governours are found.
Ver. 6. I have said, Ye are gods: and all of you are children of the most High.
7. But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.
From the sentence of doome pronounced against them; Learn, 1. Princes, Magistrates, chief Rulers and Judges, have allowance from God, of honour, power, and strength, tribute and revenues, for the better discharge of their office under him: I have said, Ye are gods, and all of you are children of the most High; that is, I have put the image of my superiority on you, and given you preheminence of place, power, and gifts over others in my Name. 2. Great places among men do not exempt any man from Gods power, justice and judgement; but all men, great men no lesse then others, must die and come to judgement, as hath befallen others before them. A Prince among Gods people, who doth not execute justice, as becometh Gods servant, shall be punished, as profane persons are who rule without the pale of Gods Church; But ye shall die like men, and fall as one of the Princes. 3. The meditation of death and judgement following on it, is a pressing motive unto amendment of life: for this is … before men of high place, who do not stand in fear of their subjects: Ye shall die like men, and fall as one of the Princes.
Ver. 8. Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou …lt inhert all nations.
From the close of the Psalme by this short prayer, wherein the oppressed servant of God prayeth that God would put order unto the government of his people, and redresse the wrongs done to them; Learn, 1 Albeit the oppressed servants of God cannot finde justice at mens hands, yet there is help to be had from God, and prayer, shorter or longer; as the Lord furnisheth unto them, must they seek their ease of minde and comfort; Arise, O God, judge the earth. 3. When Magistrates or Rulers do oppresse Gods people, private persons may not go beyond their bounds, but must have their recourse to God, that he may set matters that are wrong in a better condition, as here the Psalmist doth. 4. As the Church of God among the Jewes was acquainted with the prophecies of the enlargement of the Church and Kingdom of God among the Gentiles, and upon this ground prayed that he would not suffer his interest in his people then to decay by the malice of men: so may the Lords Church in any place or time upon the same ground pray for the like mercy; for still the reason holdeth, that God who is about to enlarge his Kingdome, will not lose what he hath already; and so to pray: Arise O Lord, judge the earth; for thou shalt inherit all nations.
Amen.