Chapter 513 of 1163

PSALM 82

The throne in heaven (1–4). The Lord stands as Judge and indicts the human judges for their failure to defend the poor and needy and condemn the wicked. Their partiality made a farce out of the legal system God ordained for Israel (Lev. 19:15; Prov. 24:23–25). What does He think of our judicial system today?

The foundations on earth (5). The foundations for peace and order in society are righteousness and justice (Pss. 89:14; 97:2). Whether in the home, church, or government, abandoning righteousness and justice makes the very foundations tremble (Ps. 11:3) and brings darkness where there should be light.

The graves under the earth (6–8). The human judges are called “gods” because the Hebrew word elohim means “mighty ones.” (It is also one of the names for God.) Leadership is a serious thing, for leaders stand in the place of God and will one day answer to Him. The selfish judges may have their days of pleasure, but one day they will die, and then what? The judges will be judged righteously by the Judge of all the earth, and there will be no escape.

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