DiscipleDeck
Get started
Bible Commentary

Psalms 82:1-5

Matthew Henry on Psalms 82:1-5

Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · Matthew Henry · CC0 1.0 Universal

Magistrates are the mighty in authority for the public good. Magistrates are the ministers of God's providence, for keeping up order and peace, and particularly in punishing evil-doers, and protecting those that do well.

Good princes and good judges, who mean well, are under Divine direction; and bad ones, who mean ill, are under Divine restraint. The authority of God is to be submitted to, in those governors whom his providence places over us.

But when justice is turned from what is right, no good can be expected. The evil actions of public persons are public mischiefs.

Recommended reading

More for Psalms 82:1-5

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 82:1-8Psalms 82:1-8 · The Pulpit CommentaryCorruptio optimi pessima est. We have here a vivid picture of the corruption of men, supposed to be, and who should have been, the best in Israel. It refers to the judges, and tells them how judges are judged (Acts 23:3…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 82:1Psalms 82:1 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe Judge of the judges. "He judgeth among the gods"—elohim, a term sometimes used for those high in office (see Exodus 21:6; Exodus 22:8, Exodus 22:28). Called gods as being God's representatives. The psalm may be illu…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 82:1Psalms 82:1 · The Pulpit CommentaryA view of human life from above. "God standeth," etc. Earthly greatness, and God's supreme rule of rulers and judgment of judges, are the theme of this sublime, brief psalm. The psalmist takes his stand on the watchtowe…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 82:1-8Psalms 82:1-8 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITION Two different explanations have been given of the general bearing and intention of this psalm—one, recently advocated by Professor Cheyne, that it is a denunciation of the angels whom God has put in charge of…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 82:1Psalms 82:1 · The Pulpit CommentaryGod standeth in the congregation of the mighty; or, "in the congregation of God"—"the Divine assembly" (see Job 1:6; Job 2:1; Isaiah 6:1, Isaiah 6:2, etc.). El, in the singular, can scarcely mean the "mighty ones of ear…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 82:1-8Psalms 82:1-8 · The Pulpit CommentaryA solemn rebuke addressed to those who, pledged by their office to uphold the Law, had trampled upon it for their own selfish ends. I. GOD'S RELATION TO RULERS. (Psalms 82:1.) 1. He has appointed them to a Divine work.…
commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 82:1-8EXPOSITION Two different explanations have been given of the general bearing and intention of this psalm—one, recently advocated by Professor Cheyne, that it is a denunciation of the angels whom God has put in charge of…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 82:1-8Corruptio optimi pessima est. We have here a vivid picture of the corruption of men, supposed to be, and who should have been, the best in Israel. It refers to the judges, and tells them how judges are judged (Acts 23:3…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 82:1A view of human life from above. "God standeth," etc. Earthly greatness, and God's supreme rule of rulers and judgment of judges, are the theme of this sublime, brief psalm. The psalmist takes his stand on the watchtowe…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 82:1-8A solemn rebuke addressed to those who, pledged by their office to uphold the Law, had trampled upon it for their own selfish ends. I. GOD'S RELATION TO RULERS. (Psalms 82:1.) 1. He has appointed them to a Divine work.…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 82:1God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; or, "in the congregation of God"—"the Divine assembly" (see Job 1:6; Job 2:1; Isaiah 6:1, Isaiah 6:2, etc.). El, in the singular, can scarcely mean the "mighty ones of ear…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 82:1The Judge of the judges. "He judgeth among the gods"—elohim, a term sometimes used for those high in office (see Exodus 21:6; Exodus 22:8, Exodus 22:28). Called gods as being God's representatives. The psalm may be illu…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 82:2How long will ye judge unjustly? "The cry of the impatient Jehovah" (Cheyne); comp. Exodus 10:3; Exodus 16:28; Numbers 14:11, Numbers 14:27. And accept the persons of the wicked? Accepting men's persons is favouring the…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 82:2Accepting the person. Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 19:7), in addressing the Judges, reminds them that "with the Lord our God is no respect of persons, nor taking of gifts" (see also 2 Samuel 14:14; Acts 10:34; Romans 2:11;…Joseph S. Exell and contributors