Homilist Psalm 82:1-8 God stands in the congregation of the mighty; he judges among the gods.… I. AS REBUKING UNJUST RULERS. "How long will ye judge unjustly?" Here is a common crime. Human rulers, alas! through all times and the world over, have been prone to judge unjustly and to "accept the persons of the wicked." In proportion to the moral corruption of a man is at once his indisposition and incapability to deal out justice to others. II. AS ENJOYING PITY FOR THE AFFLICTED. "Defend the poor and fatherless." See that they have justice done them, deal tenderly with them. "Deliver the poor and needy." It argues bad for that ruler the poor and suffering of whose people are found in the heartless grip of wicked men. III. AS CHARACTERIZING THE COURSE OF WICKED RULERS. "They know not, neither will they understand," etc. These magistrates pursue their course of moral ignorance, they are blind to the eternal principles of right, to the transcendent claims of justice; only alive to their own ambition, aggrandizement, pleasures, and gratifications. What is the consequence? 1. Society is endangered. "All the foundations of the earth are out of course." All institutions are tottering. 2. Its rulers are doomed. "I have said, Ye are gods," etc. "But ye shall die like men." This language may mean — (1) I have regarded you as divinities; in consequence of your office, as far superior to all ordinary men. (2) I looked upon your appointment as Divine. "All of you are children of the Most High." Magistracy is a Divine appointment, into that magistracy you have been permitted to enter; notwithstanding this, in consequence of your unrighteous conduct, ye "shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes." IV. As the GRAND OBJECT OF THE WORLD'S HOPE. "Arise, O God," etc. There is no hope for a corrupt world but in God. (Homilist.) Parallel Verses KJV: {A Psalm of Asaph.} God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods.WEB: God presides in the great assembly. He judges among the gods. |
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