◄ Psalm 82:6 ►
I have said, 'You are gods; you are all sons of the Most High.'
Study Bible
I have said
This phrase introduces a divine declaration, emphasizing the authority and sovereignty of God. In the Hebrew text, the word used is "אָמַרְתִּי" (amarti), which is a form of the verb "to say" or "to declare." This sets the tone for the verse, indicating that what follows is not merely an opinion or observation, but a pronouncement from God Himself. The use of the first person underscores the personal involvement of God in the affairs of humanity, reminding us of His active role in guiding and judging His creation.

You are gods
The Hebrew word for "gods" here is "אֱלֹהִים" (elohim), which can refer to divine beings, judges, or rulers. In the context of Psalm 82, it is often interpreted as referring to human judges or leaders who have been given authority by God to execute justice on earth. This phrase highlights the responsibility and the high calling of those in positions of authority. They are to reflect God's justice and righteousness, acting as His representatives. The use of "gods" underscores the weight of their role and the expectation that they will act with divine wisdom and integrity.

you are all sons of the Most High
The term "sons of the Most High" further emphasizes the relationship between these leaders and God. The phrase "sons of" in Hebrew culture often denotes a close relationship or likeness. Here, "sons of the Most High" (בְּנֵי עֶלְיוֹן, benei Elyon) signifies that these leaders are to embody the character and attributes of God, the "Most High" (עֶלְיוֹן, Elyon), who is supreme over all. This designation serves as both an honor and a reminder of their duty to uphold God's standards. It calls them to a higher level of accountability, as they are to mirror the justice and holiness of God in their leadership and governance.

Persons / Places / Events
1. God (Elohim)
The supreme being who is addressing the "gods" in this Psalm, emphasizing His authority and the divine order.

2. Gods - Elohim
Refers to human judges or leaders who have been given authority and responsibility to execute justice on earth. The term "elohim" is used here metaphorically to denote their role as representatives of divine justice.

3. Sons of the Most High
This phrase underscores the intended dignity and responsibility of these leaders, highlighting their accountability to God.

4. Asaph
The author of the Psalm, a leader of one of the temple choirs, who is calling out the injustices perpetrated by these leaders.

5. Israel
The nation to whom this Psalm is originally addressed, representing God's chosen people and their leaders.
Teaching Points
Divine Responsibility
Leaders and those in authority are accountable to God for their actions and decisions. They are to reflect God's justice and righteousness in their leadership.

Human Authority and Divine Image
While humans are given authority, it is crucial to remember that it is derived from God. Leaders should exercise their roles with humility and integrity, recognizing their position as a reflection of God's image.

Call to Justice
The Psalm calls for justice and righteousness, urging leaders to defend the weak and fatherless, and to uphold the rights of the afflicted and needy. This is a timeless call for all believers to advocate for justice in their communities.

Identity in God
Believers are reminded of their identity as "sons of the Most High," which carries both privilege and responsibility. This identity should influence how we live and interact with others.

Judgment and Accountability
There is a warning of judgment for those who fail to live up to their God-given responsibilities. This serves as a reminder of the ultimate accountability all will face before God.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding the term "gods" in Psalm 82:6 as referring to human judges or leaders affect your view of authority and leadership?

2. In what ways can you reflect God's justice and righteousness in your own spheres of influence?

3. How does Jesus' reference to Psalm 82:6 in John 10:34-36 deepen your understanding of His identity and mission?

4. What practical steps can you take to advocate for the weak and needy in your community, in light of the call to justice in this Psalm?

5. How does recognizing your identity as a "son of the Most High" influence your daily decisions and interactions with others?
Connections to Other Scriptures
John 10:34-36
Jesus references Psalm 82:6 when addressing the Pharisees, highlighting the concept of divine authority given to humans and affirming His own divine identity.

Exodus 22:28
This verse instructs not to curse the rulers of the people, acknowledging their God-given authority, which ties back to the responsibility of the "gods" in Psalm 82.

Romans 13:1-4
Paul speaks about the authority of governing bodies as instituted by God, reinforcing the idea of accountability and divine ordination of leaders.
Sermons
Our Changing Estimates of MenR. Tuck Psalm 82:6
A Solemn RebukeC. Short Psalm 82:1-8
Corruptio Optimi Pessima EstS. Conway Psalm 82:1-8
Magistrates Should Esteem Their Office a Divine InstitutionR. W. Dale, D. D.Psalm 82:1-8
The Supremacy of GodHomilistPsalm 82:1-8
The Utility of MagistracyT. Hall, B. D.Psalm 82:1-8
Exhortation to MagistratesG. Swinnock, M. A.Psalm 82:6-7
How Some Princes have DiedPsalm 82:6-7
Human RulersHomilistPsalm 82:6-7
Magistracy is of Divine AuthorityG. Swinnock, M. A.Psalm 82:6-7
Magistrates are MortalG. Swinnock, M. A.Psalm 82:6-7
Mortality Mocking Earthly MajestyJohn Smart, D. D.Psalm 82:6-7
On the Death of a KingPlain Sermons by Contributors to the, Tracts for the Times,"Psalm 82:6-7
The Dignity of Magistracy, and the Duty of the MagistrateG. Swinnock, M. A.Psalm 82:6-7
The Glory and the Vanity of Earthly GreatnessJ. Riddell.Psalm 82:6-7
The Magistrates' ScriptureHenry Smith.Psalm 82:6-7
People
Asaph, Psalmist
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Beings, Godlike, Gods, Sons
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Psalm 82:6

     4065   orderliness
     5509   rulers
     7115   children of God

Psalm 82:6-7

     1194   glory, divine and human

Library
Thou Shalt not Bear False Witness against Thy Neighbor.
This Commandment seems small, and yet is so great, that he who would rightly keep it must risk and imperil life and limb, goods and honor, friends and all that he has; and yet it includes no more than the work of that small member, the tongue, and is called in German Wahrheit sagen, "telling the truth" and, where there is need, gainsaying lies; so that it forbids many evil works of the tongue. First: those which are committed by speaking, and those which are committed by keeping silent. By speaking, …
Dr. Martin Luther—A Treatise on Good Works

His Statement of the Proof of his Messiahship. --His Oneness With
the Father.--He defends his Words from the Old Testament. (John, x., 22-39.) IN the month of December Christ arrived at Jerusalem to attend the Feast of the Dedication. As he had not always alike openly declared himself to be Messiah, he was asked, while walking in Solomon's Porch, by certain Jews, "How long wilt thou hold us in suspense? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly." We do not know by whom, or in what spirit, this question was asked. In view of the prevalent notions of the Jews in respect …
Augustus Neander—The Life of Jesus Christ in Its Historical Connexion

Christ's Interpretation of Psalm cx. , 1 (Mark, xii. , 35-37. )
We return now to the order of the narrative. We are informed by the Evangelist that in the course of these controversies with his opponents Christ put to them the question, how it could be that Messiah was to be the Son of David, and yet David called him "Lord" (Ps. cx., 1). We are not precisely told with what view he proposed the question; though it might, perhaps, be inferred from Matthew's statement, that after he had so answered their captious queries as to put them to shame, he sought in turn …
Augustus Neander—The Life of Jesus Christ in Its Historical Connexion

Brief Outline of Ancient Jewish Theological Literature
The arrangements of the synagogue, as hitherto described, combined in a remarkable manner fixedness of order with liberty of the individual. Alike the seasons and the time of public services, their order, the prayers to be offered, and the portions of the law to be read were fixed. On the other hand, between the eighteen "benedictions" said on ordinary days, and the seven repeated on the Sabbaths, free prayer might be inserted; the selection from the prophets, with which the public reading concluded--the …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

Synagogues: their Origin, Structure and Outward Arrangements
It was a beautiful saying of Rabbi Jochanan (Jer. Ber. v. 1), that he who prays in his house surrounds and fortifies it, so to speak, with a wall of iron. Nevertheless, it seems immediately contradicted by what follows. For it is explained that this only holds good where a man is alone, but that where there is a community prayer should be offered in the synagogue. We can readily understand how, after the destruction of the Temple, and the cessation of its symbolical worship, the excessive value attached …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

Notes on the First Century:
Page 1. Line 1. An empty book is like an infant's soul.' Here Traherne may possibly have had in his mind a passage in Bishop Earle's "Microcosmography." In delineating the character of a child, Earle says: "His soul is yet a white paper unscribbled with observations of the world, wherewith at length it becomes a blurred note-book," Page 14. Line 25. The entrance of his words. This sentence is from Psalm cxix. 130. Page 15. Last line of Med. 21. "Insatiableness." This word in Traherne's time was often …
Thomas Traherne—Centuries of Meditations

The Meaning
Of the Red Dragon with Seven Heads fighting with Michael about the new-born Child. The first vision of the little book, of which we treated in the eleventh chapter, ran through the whole Apocalyptical course, from the beginning to the end, and that, as we elsewhere observed, to point out its connexion with the seals and trumpets. Now to that vision the remaining prophecies of the same interval, and of the affairs of the Church are to be accommodated, in order to complete the system of the little …
Joseph Mede—A Key to the Apocalypse

Of Civil Government.
OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT. This chapter consists of two principal heads,--I. General discourse on the necessity, dignity, and use of Civil Government, in opposition to the frantic proceedings of the Anabaptists, sec. 1-3. II. A special exposition of the three leading parts of which Civil Government consists, sec. 4-32. The first part treats of the function of Magistrates, whose authority and calling is proved, sec. 4-7. Next, the three Forms of civil government are added, sec. 8. Thirdly, Consideration …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

The Unity of God
Q-5: ARE THERE MORE GODS THAN ONE? A: There is but one only, the living and true God. That there is a God has been proved; and those that will not believe the verity of his essence, shall feel the severity of his wrath. Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord.' Deut 6:6. He is the only God.' Deut 4:49. Know therefore this day, and consider it in thy heart, that the Lord he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath, there is none else.' A just God and a Saviour; there is none beside …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

At the Feast of the Dedication of the Temple.
ABOUT two months had passed since Jesus had left Jerusalem after the Feast of Tabernacles. Although we must not commit ourselves to such calculations, we may here mention the computation which identifies the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles of that year [4376] with Thursday the 23rd September; the last, the Great Day of the Feast,' with Wednesday the 29th; the Octave of the Feast with the 30th September; and the Sabbath when the man born blind was healed with the 2nd of October. [4377] In that …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

They Shall be Called the Children of God
They shall be called the children of God. Matthew 5:9 In these words the glorious privilege of the saints is set down. Those who have made their peace with God and labour to make peace among brethren, this is the great honour conferred upon them, They shall be called the children of God'. They shall be (called)', that is, they shall be so reputed and esteemed of God. God never miscalls anything. He does not call them children which are no children. Thou shalt be called the prophet of the Highest' …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

Feast of the Dedication. The Jews Attempt to Stone Jesus and He Retires to Peræa.
(Jerusalem and Beyond Jordan.) ^D John X. 22-42. ^d 22 And it was the feast of the dedication at Jerusalem: 23; it was winter; and Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch. [The feast of dedication was one of eight days' duration and began upon the 25th Chisleu, which, according to the calculation of M. Chevannes, fell upon the nineteenth or twentieth of December, a.d. 29. The feast was kept in honor of the renovation and purification of the temple in the year b.c. 164, after it had been desecrated …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

In the Last, the Great Day of the Feast'
IT was the last, the great day of the Feast,' and Jesus was once more in the Temple. We can scarcely doubt that it was the concluding day of the Feast, and not, as most modern writers suppose, its Octave, which, in Rabbinic language, was regarded as a festival by itself.' [3987] [3988] But such solemn interest attaches to the Feast, and this occurrence on its last day, that we must try to realise the scene. We have here the only Old Testament type yet unfilfilled; the only Jewish festival which has …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Saints' Privilege and Profit;
OR, THE THRONE OF GRACE ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. The churches of Christ are very much indebted to the Rev. Charles Doe, for the preservation and publishing of this treatise. It formed one of the ten excellent manuscripts left by Bunyan at his decease, prepared for the press. Having treated on the nature of prayer in his searching work on 'praying with the spirit and with the understanding also,' in which he proves from the sacred scriptures that prayer cannot be merely read or said, but must …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Epistle v. To Theoctista, Sister of the Emperor.
To Theoctista, Sister of the Emperor. Gregory to Theoctista, &c. With how great devotion my mind prostrates itself before your Venerableness I cannot fully express in words; nor yet do I labour to give utterance to it, since, even though I were silent, you read in your heart your own sense of my devotion. I wonder, however, that you withdrew your countenance, till of late bestowed on me, from this my recent engagement in the pastoral office; wherein, under colour of episcopacy, I have been brought …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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