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Psalm Ps. 82. Some call this a community lament since it addresses God directly with a request on behalf of the whole people (v. 8). Others call it a prophetic hymn (like Psalm 81), interpreting its address to the “gods” (82:6) as directed to unjust human rulers, whom God will judge. Both of these classifications have merit, which shows that one must use the psalm categories only in a general way. The psalm teaches that the people of God are called to aspire to be an ideal society, with their justice visible to all peoples, that all nations might come to know the true God (Deut. 4:5–8).
Ps. 82:1 in the divine council; in the midst of the gods. These “gods” are said to “judge” among men (vv. 2–4) and to die like men (v. 7). It is best to see these as human rulers, who hold their authority as representatives of the true God (and therefore deserve respect; see 58:1; Rom. 13:1–7; 1 Pet. 2:13–17). Jesus seems to have read the psalm in this way, since in John 10:34–35 he cites Ps. 82:6, describing the “gods” as those to whom the word of God came, which means they were human.
Ps. 82:2–4 judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked. The psalm does not specify whether the rulers are Israelites, or Gentiles ruling Israel as a subject state (as in the Babylonian or Persian Empires). Both the ideal Davidic king in Psalm 72 and the ideal Gentile ruler in Prov. 31:1–9 are called to protect the powerless from those who would harm them. Certainly the people of God should aim to embody this ideal.
Ps. 82:5 When such people rule, the foundations of the earth (the moral principles that God instilled in the creation order) are shaken (see note on 11:3).
Ps. 82:6 You are gods. See note on v. 1.
Ps. 82:8 The psalm closes with a prayer that God will judge the earth. The basis of the request is that all nations belong to God already (you shall inherit all the nations). Perhaps this also alludes to 2:8, where the messianic king will have the nations as his heritage.
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