CHAPTER 82

A PSALM OF ASAPH: GOD THE RIGHTEOUS JUDGE

¹God stands in the congregation of the mighty; He judges among the gods. (The first four Verses of this Psalm are an account of the Lord Jesus standing in the Temple in the midst of what was the congregation of God and judging the rulers of the people. He fulfilled the first four Verses [Mat., Chpts. 2123; Jn., Chpts. 810].)

²How long will you judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah. (Israel was designed by God to be His representative in the Earth and judge of the nations. Hence, her magistrates were termed gods representatives of God.

Israel failed to fulfill this Divine Purpose; therefore, the prediction of this Psalm is that the Messiah will take up this Divine Purpose and perfectly fulfill it as Judge of Israel and of all nations through His Body, the Church [Eph. 1:2023].)

³Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. (When religious leaders leave the Way of God and devise their own ways, the people then become pawns. True and righteous judgment demands that true Servants of God serve the people [Jn. 13:1217]. When religion prevails, the Way of God is turned upside down, with the people washing the feet of religious leaders.)

⁴Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked. (Deliverance can be effected only by looking to Christ as the Source, and the Cross as the means [Lk. 4:18].)

⁵They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the Earth are out of course. (These wicked religious leaders of Israel would not hear Christ; therefore, they continued in darkness until the nation was finally destroyed, with the Gospel then being given to the Gentiles.)

⁶I have said, You are gods; and all of you are Children of the Most High. (The statement means that God had appointed Israel as judges [gods], simply because they were chosen of God and, therefore, the Children of God; however, Israel failed to fulfill this purpose and ultimately was destroyed.)

⁷But you shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes. (Israel was so lifted up in herself, that she felt she merited righteousness. The Lords pronouncements, in effect, told them they would die and die lost [Mat., Chpt. 23]. Even though they were called a prince, or a representative of God, still, they would fall. And that they did!)

⁸Arise, O God, judge the Earth: for You shall inherit all nations. (Israel failed, but Jesus Christ will never fail. The Messiah has taken up this Divine Purpose, and will perfectly fulfill it as Judge of Israel and of all nations.)