Psalm 82:5 - Printer Friendly

ESV: They have neither knowledge nor understanding, they walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken.

NIV: "The ‘gods’ know nothing, they understand nothing. They walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken.

NASB: They do not know nor do they understand; They walk around in darkness; All the foundations of the earth are shaken.

CSB: They do not know or understand; they wander in darkness. All the foundations of the earth are shaken.

NLT: But these oppressors know nothing; they are so ignorant! They wander about in darkness, while the whole world is shaken to the core.

KJV: They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course.

NKJV: They do not know, nor do they understand; They walk about in darkness; All the foundations of the earth are unstable.

In His indictment of Israel's unjust judges (Psalm 82:1–2), the Lord describes them as lacking spiritual and intellectual knowledge. They stumble around in moral darkness, undermining the foundations of law and order. God's intent for government and those in power is to maintain order and protect the weak from abuse at the hands of the rich and powerful (Psalm 72:12–14; Proverbs 31:9; Romans 13:4). When leaders do the opposite, and pursue evil, it turns the world upside down.

Unfortunately, the leaders of Israel—the judges, the priests, and the Levites—did not always honor the Lord. The people were not well-taught about God's law. Hosea comments about similar conditions and the Lord's strong reaction. He says, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children" (Hosea 4:6).

Jesus described Israel's hypocritical religious leaders as sightless men claiming to guide other sightless men: both would suffer a terrible end (Matthew 15:14). When spiritual darkness blinds the judgment of a nation's leaders, the foundations of society are shaken.

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.