Christian Photographers Community

Psalm 82

By the time of this psalm, Israel was not thought much of among the nations of the earth. At one time her empire had extended from the Mediterranean to the river Euphrates, but now it barely consisted of Jerusalem and a few near-by environs.  Her enemies laughed at her, and, any time they wanted, they could come and take whatever they wanted.  But even though they had been chastised very much and had been brought very low, yet her leaders still hadn't learned the lessons God wanted them to learn.  He is Judge of the whole earth and every soul in it, and His judgement is always just.  By contrast, Israel's leaders led only a relatively few people, yet greed and corruption prevented them from doing even that well.  Asaph the psalmist has to admonish them and to say, "How long will you judge unjustly, and show partiality to the wicked?  Defend the poor and fatherless; do justice to the afflicted and needy.  Deliver the poor and needy; free them from the hand of the wicked."

It's a theme often repeated by the prophets.  Isaiah spoke similar words when he said, "Is this not the fast I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burden, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke?  Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; when you see the naked, that you cover him, and not hide yourself from your own flesh?"

Through Asaph, God is making the point that He judges all the leaders ("gods," "judges") of the earth, and that He will surely judge Israel's leaders too.  He has to say to them - "I said 'You are gods, and all of you are children of the Most High - but you shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes."  In other words, "Even if you were like the great leaders of the earth (which you certainly are not), you will die just as they do - and God will judge you!"

This song is about how we deal with the poor, the fatherless, and the oppressed of this world.  It's a theme of great importance to God.  It should be of great importance to ourselves as well.  Nations – and individuals – need to consider carefully how they deal with the less fortunate.  God Who sees all cares, and He's the same today as He has always been.