From
the title, we know a man named Asaph wrote Psalm 82, but we are not sure when
he wrote it. It is concerned with a universal problem, one which afflicts all
countries, but oriental countries particularly, the problem of unjust judges
and corrupt officials. This psalm deals with the unjust judge in Israel and
finds many an echo in the passionate outpourings of the prophets.
I’ll
never forget in my early years of ministry as I traveled overseas on mission
trips to third world countries, I would often ask my national friends the
question, “What is the biggest problem that you face in your country?” Their
immediate answer would almost always be the same no matter what country I was
in. They say, “Corruption in the government”.
Jesus
said that the “last days” would be like it was in the days of Noah before the
flood came. Genesis 6:11-13 describes the condition of those days: “The
earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.
So God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt; for all flesh
had corrupted their way on the earth. And God said to Noah, "The
end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence
through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth.” Did you notice the two words, corruption and
violence? They pretty much describes our country and the world today! Jesus is
coming soon!
In
verse 1, Asaph speaks and gives notice that God is standing, and He will judge
the judges! Then in verses 2-7, God speaks and has several things to say to the
judges. Though these people held high offices and were called
"elohim—gods" (Ex. 21:6), they were only humans and would be judged
for their sins. Privilege brings responsibility, and responsibility brings
accountability. Jesus quoted verse 6 in John 10:34-36 to defend His own claim
to be the Son of God. For, if the Lord called "gods" the imperfect
human judges chosen by men, how much more should Jesus Christ be called
"the Son of God," He who was set apart by the Father and sent to
earth! In spite of their titles and offices, these judges would die like any
other human and pay the price for their sins.
Verse
5 presents a good question. Does it describe the evil judges or the abused
people? If the judges, then it is a terrible indictment against people who are
supposed to know the Law and walk in its light (Isa. 8:20; 59:1-15; Rom.
1:21-22). But it's possible that the pronoun "they" in verse 5 refers
back to the weak and needy people described in verse 4. The priests and Levites
did not always do their jobs well, and the common people did not know the Law
well enough to defend themselves. "My people are destroyed for lack of
knowledge" (Hos. 4:6). When the Law of God is ignored or disobeyed,
this shakes and threatens the very foundations of society (11:3; 89:14; 97:2),
for God's moral Law is the standard by which man's laws must be judged. For
sure, this is what has happened in America today.
Finally
in verse 8, when God the Judge ceased to speak, then Asaph added his prayer
that God would bring justice to all the earth and not just to Israel (v. 8;
9:7-8). When the Lord comes to judge the earth, no one will escape, and His
sentence will be just. Asaph's prayer echoes the church's prayer, "Thy
kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven" (Matt. 6:10).
My
friend, we are getting really close to the end times when our Lord will come to
receive His bride, the church, and bring judgment to the whole earth. Are you ready?
God bless!
