---
title: "Psalms 82 - Study King James Bible with barnes notes on the whole bible"
description: "Read Psalms 82 with barnes notes on the whole bible commentary. 1 God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods. 2 How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Sela"
image: "/_app/immutable/assets/missing.C7wGMEZ6.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/study/barnes-notes-on-the-whole-bible/psalms/82"
---

[ Read](/kjv/psalms/82)[ Commentary](/study/psalms/82)[ Interlinear](/interlinear/psalms/82) Audio

 1 God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods.*

 2 How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.

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

 4 Deliver the poor and needy: rid *them* out of the hand of the wicked.

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

 6 I have said, Ye *are* gods; and all of you *are* children of the most High.

 7 But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.

 8 Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations.
 
[Psalms 81](/study/psalms/81) [Psalms 83](/study/psalms/83)

## Commentary

 To verse 1
 
**God standeth in the congregation of the mighty -**In the assembly of the rulers and judges; among those of most exalted rank and station. He is there to observe them; to give them law; to direct their decisions; to judge them. He is supreme over them; and he holds them responsible to himself The word rendered congregation is that which is commonly applied to the assembly of the people of Israel, considered as an organized body, or as a body politic. It here, however, refers to magistrates considered as a body or class of people; as those who have assemblages or meetings, with special reference to their duties as magistrates. The word rendered “mighty” - אל *'Êl* - is in the singular number, and is one of the names which are given to God; hence, the literal rendering is, “God standeth in the assembly of God.” The Septuagint renders it, In the synagogue of the gods. So also the Latin Vulgate. The reference, however, is undoubtedly to magistrates, and the idea is, that they were to be regarded as representatives of God; as acting in his name; and as those, therefore, to whom, in a subordinate sense, the name gods might be given. Compare [Psalms 82:6](/kjv/psalms/82/6). In [Exodus 21:6](/kjv/exodus/21/6); [Exodus 22:8-9](/kjv/exodus/22/8-9), [Exodus 22:28](/kjv/exodus/22/28), also, the same word in the plural is applied to magistrates, and is properly translated judges in our common version. Compare the notes at [John 10:34-35](/kjv/john/10/34-35). The idea is, that they were the representatives of the divine sovereignty in the administration of justice. Compare [Romans 13:1-2](/kjv/romans/13/1-2), [Romans 13:6](/kjv/romans/13/6). They were, in a sense, gods to other people; but they were not to forget that God stood among them as their God; that if they were exalted to a high rank in respect to their fellowmen, they were, nevertheless, subject to One to whom the name of God belonged in the highest sense. 

**He judgeth among the gods -**As they to whom the name gods is thus given as the representatives of the divine sovereignty judged among people, so God would judge among them. If they were, in some sense (in consequence of their representing the divine majesty, and deriving their power and appointment from God), independent of people, they were in no sense independent of God himself.

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