Lectionary Calendar
Tuesday, March 19th, 2024
the Fifth Week of Lent
There are 12 days til Easter!
Attention!
We are taking food to Ukrainians still living near the front lines. You can help by getting your church involved.
Click to donate today!

Bible Commentaries
Psalms 82

Wesley's Explanatory NotesWesley's Notes

Verse 1

God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods.

Standeth — To observe all that is said or done there.

Mighty — Kings or chief rulers. By their congregation he understands all persons whatsoever of this high and sacred order.

Judgeth — Passes sentence upon them.

The gods — Judges and magistrates are called gods, because they have their commission from God, and act as his deputies.

Verse 2

How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? /*Selah*/.

How long — The psalmist speaks to them in God’s name.

Accept — By giving sentence according to your respect or affection to the person.

Verse 5

They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course.

They — The magistrates of whom this psalm treats.

Know not — The duty of their place.

Nor will — Their ignorance is wilful.

Walk on — They persist: it is their constant course.

In darkness — In their sinful courses.

The foundations — This corruption of the supreme rulers, flows from them to their inferior officers and members.

Verse 6

I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.

Have said — I have given you my name and power to rule your people in my stead.

All — Not only the rulers of Israel, but of all other nations.

Children — Representing my person, and bearing both my name and authority.

Verse 7

But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.

Like men — Or, like ordinary men.

Verse 8

Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations.

Arise — Take the sword of justice into thine own hand.

Bibliographical Information
Wesley, John. "Commentary on Psalms 82". "John Wesley's Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible". https://studylight.org/commentaries/eng/wen/psalms-82.html. 1765.
adsFree icon
Ads FreeProfile