Studies in the Psalms - Psalm 82

Here in the St. Louis area, we are once again in the middle of daily protests from people who are seeking justice to the poor and the oppressed. The city, like much of the nation, is split into two basic factions; those who believe the police shoot unarmed black men without cause and get away with it and those who believe that the justice system is working and the protesters are missing the point. The truth in this situation, is probably as it usually is, somewhere in the middle of both sides. If you are a Christian and feel oppressed and believe justice is not being properly administered, Psalm 82 is for you.

Psalm 82:1-2

God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment: “How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Selah

The use of the word “gods” here is speaking of those whom God has placed in authority to judge. The Bible is clear; God puts all authority in place. ALL authority.

Romans 13:1
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.

It also refers to anyone who passes judgment on others. Certainly, here in St. Louis there is a lot of judgments being made from both sides. And sometimes those judgments are made without the proper facts of the case. We all must be careful that we are not trying to be God.

Psalm 82:3-5
Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute.  Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” They have neither knowledge nor understanding, they walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken.

What we need most is for all of us who call ourselves Christians to stop trying to judge what we don’t really know, and spend our time praying to God to do just what verses 3-5 ask.

Psalm 82:6-8
I said, “You are gods, sons of the Most High, all of you;  nevertheless, like men you shall

die, and fall like any prince.”  Arise, O God, judge the earth; for you shall inherit all the nations!

God will hold those in authority accountable for their acts in being the authority over our society. He will hold them to a very high standard. He will also hold the rest of us accountable for how we react to authority.  Make no mistake, God will judge the earth.

So, what should the Christian be doing in all this? First of all, we must remember this verse.

Philippians 2:3-4
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.  Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

We must put our personal interests aside for a moment and try and see that the people on the other side, whichever one that is, are also made in God’s image and He wants us to consider them as more significant than ourselves.

No, we should not ignore facts of legal cases. But what we can do is move closer to the other side by simply loving them. The Bible says in Romans 5:8 that “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” All of us are broken and sinners.

Trust that justice will come when Christ returns. Christians, until then, let love be the force that draws us closer to each other, even our enemies, by seeking to treat people as God treats us. Show mercy, grace, and love above all else.

Whatever side you are on in all this, if you call yourself a Christian then do what Psalm 82 says.

Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute.  Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.

This is God’s will. But be careful how you judge matters. God sees people’s hearts. We don’t. He will judge righteously. We won’t. So, let love carry the most weight in all you do.

Pray for peace. Pray for those in authority. Pray for the lost. Pray for each other.