The author of Hebrews tells us that God created mankind a little lower than the angels and sent His Son to become man in order to save them. Before explaining this, the author distinguishes the Son of God by stating that God never addressed any angel with the words, “You are My Son.” Furthermore, God grants sonship to us through His Son, not to the angels. Though we were created lower than the angels, God did not allow them to rule over us. Instead, He chose leaders from among men to govern His people. Initially, God guided His people through prophets, but later, people demanded kings to rule over them. This Psalm reflects the ingratitude of rulers and judges whom God appointed to govern the people.
God of gods?
God presides in the great assembly;
he renders judgment among the “gods”: – Psalms 82:1 (NIV)
If the “gods” mentioned here referred to idols made by human hands, it would be inappropriate to call God as their God, for He is the God of the living, not of lifeless creations. When God sends His representatives to deliver people from bondage and lead them in truth, He regards them as “God” to those they serve. This is evident when He sent Moses to Pharaoh, saying:
Then the LORD said to Moses, “See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron will be your prophet”. – Exodus 7:1 (NIV)
Perhaps this was because the Pharaohs presented themselves as gods to their people. Yet, as God led the Israelites out of Egypt through a pillar of cloud and fire, it was evident that He alone reigns over His people. He never abandons them, and His grace remains with them despite their failures. Even when there were no kings, God raised up judges to deliver His people from their enemies. The Psalmist recognized God as the sovereign Lord over these judges and rulers.
Deliver The Weak
How long will you defend the unjust and show partiality to the wicked?
Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked. – Psalms 82:2-4 (NIV)
However, many kings and judges ignored God’s statutes and instead served the wicked to secure their own power. Despite their failures, God commanded them to defend the weak and the fatherless. Supporting the poor and oppressed may not bring rulers any material benefit, which is why they often neglect their duty. Instead of rescuing the weak from the hands of the wicked, they place them under their control. These injustices continue today, and God repeatedly calls His people to uphold justice for the poor, just as He once delivered us when we were weak and perishing.
Judges Know Nothing
The ‘gods’ know nothing, they understand nothing. They walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken. – Psalms 82:5 (NIV)
God created us in His image, but we remain human and can never become God Himself. Had we retained the original image in which He created us, we would have fully understood His will and purpose. However, due to the disobedience of Adam and Eve, we have lost that understanding and are unaware of His plan. Without this spiritual insight, we inevitably stumble in darkness rather than walk in the light.
When the Roman officials crucified Jesus, they acted in ignorance, unaware of the magnitude of their actions. Scripture records that at that moment, an earthquake occurred. Similarly, when rulers fail to comprehend God’s ways, the very foundations of the earth are at risk of being shaken.
Pride blinds them, and under their rule, people suffer and groan. In contrast, the Centurion who approached Jesus on behalf of his ailing servant demonstrated remarkable insight—not only in his role as a soldier but also in recognizing the authority of the Creator. He used the authority given to him by God to understand God’s supreme sovereignty (Matthew 8:9). Unfortunately, many, intoxicated by their own limited power, become arrogant and fail to recognise God and His might.
Sons Of The Most High
I said, ‘You are “gods”; you are all sons of the Most High.’
But you will die like mere mortals; you will fall like every other ruler.” –Psalms 82:6-7 (NIV)
“I said, ‘You are “gods”‘”—this statement highlights the authority God has bestowed upon mankind. It is significant that people readily accepted their leaders being called “gods,” especially during a time when they were so reverent that they feared even pronouncing the name of God, Yahweh. Yet, paradoxically, they refused to accept Jesus as the Son of God and accused Him of blasphemy. Jesus Himself pointed out this truth in the following verse:
Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I have said you are “gods”’? If he called them ‘gods,’ to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be set aside — what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’? – John 10:34-36 (NIV)
Moreover, this Psalm prophetically foretells the restoration of humanity to God’s image, granting them the privilege of becoming His children. However, the Psalmist, in his time, could not fully comprehend the assurance of eternal life and therefore lamented that humanity would remain mortal and eventually perish. Yet, Jesus willingly endured the charge of blasphemy so that we might receive the gift of becoming God’s children. Paul, in his writings, urges believers to reject doubt and instead embrace the redemption that is freely available to us.
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. – Romans 3:23-24
The Judgement Of God
Rise up, O God, judge the earth,
for all the nations are your inheritance. – Psalms 82:8 (NIV)
Finally, overwhelmed by the injustice of rulers and judges, the Psalmist cries out for God to come and judge the earth. He prophetically declares that all nations belong to God as His inheritance—a truth echoed in the following verse:
“Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance, and the very ends of the earth as Your possession” – Psalm 2:8
God’s judgment will not be limited to rulers alone; every person will stand before Him on the day of His second coming. No one can escape that day—each will either be rewarded for their faith in God through His Son or face judgment for their disbeliefs. The choice is ours, but the day of reckoning is certain.
Heavenly Father, open the eyes of Your children to see the Redeemer, to believe in Him, and to receive the precious gift of salvation. May we stand secure on the day of judgment, led by our Redeemer into eternal life, the greatest blessing of all. Amen.
The Jordan Valley 
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