What is the meaning of Psalm 82:2? How long will you judge unjustly God opens the psalm by confronting Israel’s earthly judges—people He Himself appointed to administer His law (Exodus 18:21-26). Because Scripture is both accurate and literal, we understand that He is addressing real leaders who are accountable to His standards. • “How long” highlights God’s patience being tried. He has tolerated corruption, but His forbearance has limits (Numbers 14:11; 2 Peter 3:9). • “Judge unjustly” exposes verdicts that twist truth, silence the righteous, or ignore evidence—precisely what He forbids (Deuteronomy 16:19; Proverbs 17:15). • The question implies expectation: they know the Law, yet persist in wrong. Isaiah 1:23 describes similar leaders: “They do not defend the cause of the fatherless.” • By asking rather than immediately striking, God offers space for repentance (Ezekiel 18:30-32). and show partiality to the wicked? The charge moves from bad judgments in general to a specific sin: favoring evil people because of power, bribes, or social ties. • Partiality contradicts God’s character; He “shows no favoritism” (Acts 10:34). His judges must mirror that (Leviticus 19:15). • Favoritism destroys public trust and harms the vulnerable (Proverbs 18:5). It turns the courtroom from a place of truth into a shield for oppressors (Isaiah 10:1-2). • James 2:1-9 condemns the same attitude in the church age: believers must not “distinguish among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts.” • Elevating the wicked discourages righteousness, invites more evil, and provokes divine judgment (Psalm 94:20-23). Selah This musical pause invites the worshiper to stop and absorb the gravity of God’s words. • It allows the congregation to examine its own hearts: Are we silent when injustice reigns (Proverbs 31:8-9)? • It underscores that God’s courtroom is above every human bench (Psalm 75:7). • The pause also points forward to verses 3-4, where God commands active defense of the weak—justice is never merely theoretical. summary Psalm 82:2 is God’s pointed question to leaders who corrupt justice. He calls out their ongoing patterns—crooked rulings and favoritism toward evildoers—while offering a moment to repent. The verse reminds every believer that justice reflects God’s nature; when it is twisted, society decays and divine judgment draws near. |
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