Psalm 82:3 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute.

NIV: Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.

NASB: Vindicate the weak and fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and destitute.

CSB: Provide justice for the needy and the fatherless; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute.

NLT: 'Give justice to the poor and the orphan; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute.

KJV: Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.

NKJV: Defend the poor and fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and needy.

The Lord commands Israel's judges to provide justice for the weak and the fatherless. They are expected to maintain the rights of the afflicted and destitute. Instead, it seems Israel's rulers were engaged in corruption (Psalm 82:1–2). This contradicts God's intent for human government (Proverbs 31:9; Romans 13:4). In fact, when evil replaces order, it overturns the basis of the entire world (Psalm 11:3; 82:5).

Judges abusing the underprivileged risked incurring severe penalties: "Cursed be anyone who perverts the justice due to the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow" (Deuteronomy 27:19). In His indictment of Israel's corrupt rulers, the Lord directly charges them with breaching this responsibility (Isaiah 1:23). The New Testament also shows God's compassion for the underprivileged. In Acts 6 He led the congregation of believers to select men to care for Greek widows. In his epistle James declares, "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction" (James 1:27).

Psalm 82:1–5 depicts the One True God acting as the Judge of judges. God's intent for government (Romans 13:4) and those in power is that they care for the weak and vulnerable (Proverbs 31:9). Corrupt judges leave needy people at the mercy of evil men. They may also take bribes and deliver false decisions (Proverbs 17:23; 18:5). This disregard for order shakes the "foundation" of the entire world (Psalm 11:3).

The Hebrew word "elohiym" is used for God as well as for generic spiritual beings and lesser rulers. In verses 1 and 6, the term is applied to mortal men. Asaph writes as if God were about to announce a verdict on human judges. These corrupt officials have failed to protect the needy and weak (Psalm 72:12–14; Proverbs 31:9). When those meant to uphold justice fail, the cornerstones of civilization are undone. The psalm ends with a direct call for the Lord to judge the earth.

Asaph was a worship leader under king David (1 Chronicles 16:4–7). In this psalm he condemns corrupt judges who fail to defend the weak and needy, which is God's intent for their role (Psalm 72:12–14; Proverbs 31:9). Jesus referred to this psalm when debating with those who accused Him of blasphemy (John 10:33–36). The Hebrew word "elohiym," like its English translation, can refer to the One True "God," or to generic "gods." In various Hebrew contexts, the word is also used for various rulers and authorities.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.

Accessed 11/25/2024 7:24:07 AM