Thursday, February 12, 2009

Reflections on Psalm 82

Psalm 82 (Contemporary English Version)

  1. (A psalm by Asaph.) When all of the other gods have come together, the Lord God judges them and says:
  2. "How long will you keep judging unfairly and favoring evil people?
  3. Be fair to the poor and to orphans. Defend the helpless and everyone in need.
  4. Rescue the weak and homeless from the powerful hands of heartless people.
  5. "None of you know or understand a thing. You live in darkness, while the foundations of the earth tremble.
  6. "I, the Most High God, say that all of you are gods and also my own children.
  7. But you will die, just like everyone else, including powerful rulers."
  8. Do something, God! Judge the nations of the earth; they belong to you.



Psalm 82 is addressed to the judges and rulers of the earth. The scene opens with God Himself seated on the bench with the council gathered around Him made up of the rulers and judges of the earth. They are referred to in the psalm as gods, or the mighty ones. It is not a reference to divinity but merely to a position of power. In this scene, however, they are the ones being judged, and the charge against them? "How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? (verse 2) The instructions for judging justly are simple. "Uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute . . . save them from the hand of the wicked." This sums up the instructions, stating only justice for the poor and needy. Is not this another kind of partiality on behalf of the poor and needy? Not really. The point being that when the poor and needy are provided justice everyone will be provided justice. Those with means will always be able to get the justice they want. And we must keep in mind that this psalm refers specifically to justice at the hands of the wicked, and apparently the wicked have means. The courts are usually deciding cases of one person against another and those with means, whether wicked or not, tend to get partiality. In many societies they can get favorable judgments through bribery, a benefit not available to the poor and needy. Plus, those with means can afford the council of attorneys, another benefit not available to the poor. Then another issue pointed out in verse 5 is that often the poor and needy do not understand the systems of government and courts. They are completely at the mercy of the court. If a just judge does not uphold what is right they have no justice.

On this occasion, the magistrates gathered before the supreme judge, who is God Himself, are given only a warning. Though they are gods, that is, mighty ones, they are sons of the Most High. In other words, they are His sons and subject to His authority. As such, they are as vulnerable as anyone else to death and to falling from their position. The inference is that death and falling from authority will happen to them if they don't judge justly and quit showing partiality to the wicked.

I am not a judge but does this speak to me also about showing justice to the poor and needy? In all my dealings with people and in those settings in which I do have authority, how do I treat those who are helpless? If others are involved, do I show partiality to them rather than to the helpless? If I perceive there might be some benefit to me personally by favoring the one with means rather than the one without, do I show partiality to the one who can benefit me? And, am I willing to go to as great a lengths to help those who are helpless as I am anyone else? I don't believe I escape the instruction of this psalm. It is for me also.

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