Once again Israel’s enemies jointly intend to overcome it, and once again the psalmist turns to the Lord with a plea for help...
Once again Israel’s enemies jointly intend to overcome it, and once again the psalmist turns to the Lord with a plea for help. Before us is another entreaty for heavenly protection, and we are not surprised by the request for victory over the enemies.
But alongside the wish that troubles befall the enemies, we notice a new note in the attitude toward them. The psalmist wishes them not merely defeat and calamity, but that the enemies, filled with disgrace—that is, deprived of the position that enables them to exalt themselves—may seek the Name of the Lord. The psalmist already knows that it is often precisely those whose pride has been crushed who become able to hear Him, and now he wishes the same for the enemies.
Here before us is one of the early manifestations of that love for enemies which prevents us from seeing in them only those whom we want to punish and destroy. Asaph wishes to share what is most precious, hope in the Lord, precisely with those who have risen against the Lord and His people.
82 We have here the dignity and duty of magistrates, Psa 82:1-4.
The wickedness of some magistrates, and their doom, Psa 82:5-7.
A prayer to God, Psa 82:8.
A psalm of Asaph.
82:1 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.
82:2 How long - The psalmist speaks to them in God's name.Accept - By giving sentence according to your respect or affection to the person.
82:5 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.
82:6 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.
82:7 Like men - Or, like ordinary men.
82:8 Arise - Take the sword of justice into thine own hand.