Psalm-82
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Tanakh versions:
Throughout this site I may use any of the following three versions of the Tanah: 1. “Jewish Publication Society” (JPS-1917), 2. Mechon-Mamre.org” (MEC), and 3. “Sefaria.org” (SEF).
Colour coded
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other Writings.
*The Ketuvim - Includes, Poetical
books - Psalms, Proverbs, Job, the Megillot, or Scrolls - Song of Solomon,
Ruth, Lamentations of Jeremiah, Ecclesiastes, and
Esther, prophecy of Daniel, and history of Ezra, Nehemiah, and
Chronicles I & II.
Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold
wondrous things out of Thy Law!
Tehillim - Psalm 119:18..
(JPS-1917
version of the Tanakh).
Please Note: Some alterations or (additions) have been made relating to ‘Names’
and ‘Attributes’ of אֱלֹהִים -
Elohim, having been corrected like it once was pre
the “Masoretic Text”.
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Remember the
following truth from our beloved Torah!
“Ye shall NOT ADD TO THE WORD which I command
you, NEITHER SHALL YE DIMINISH FROM IT, that ye may
keep the commandments of יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֵיכֶם -
the LORD your Eloleichem, which I command you”. Davarim - Deuteronomy 4:2.
However, sadly both the later priests as well as our rabbis of long ago have shamefully disobeyed this command of אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim, בָּרוּךְ שֵׁם קָדוֹשׁוֹ - ‘Baruch Shem Kadosho’ – ‘Blessed be His Holy Name!’
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With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
Introduction to Psalm 82:
Psalm 82 is a “Psalm of Asaph”. It is a powerful, dramatic scene where אֱלֹהִים - Elohim (God) is depicted as standing in a heavenly court to judge the “gods” a term referring here to human judges and leaders who have been given Divine authority to represent justice on earth. It serves as a stern warning that those in power are accountable to the Supreme Judge for how they treat the weak and the poor.
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Let us read Tehillim - Psalm Chapter 82: (JPS-1917 version of the Tanakh).
1. “A Psalm of Asaph. אֱלֹהִים -
Elohim standeth in
the congregation of אֱלֹהִים; in the midst of the judges He judgeth:
2. 'How long will ye judge unjustly, and respect the
persons of the wicked? Selah
3. Judge the poor and fatherless; do justice to the
afflicted and destitute.
4. Rescue the poor and needy; deliver them out of the
hand of the wicked.
5. They know not, neither do they understand; they go
about in darkness;
all the foundations of the earth are moved.
6. I said: Ye are godlike beings, and all of you sons
of the Most High.
7. Nevertheless ye shall die like men, and fall like
one of the princes.'
8. Arise, O אֱלֹהִים, judge the earth; for Thou shalt possess all the nations.
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Let us now look at the ‘verse by verse’ section with Explanations:
Verse 1: “God stands in the congregation of the mighty; He judges among the gods”.
Explanation: The “congregation of the mighty” refers to the gathering of rulers and judges”. By calling them “gods”, the Psalmist acknowledges their high office, but emphasizes that אֱלֹהִים - Elohim is standing over them, watching and evaluating their every decision.
Verse 2: “How long will you judge unjustly, and show partiality to the wicked? Selah”.
Explanation: אֱלֹהִים poses a direct question to the leaders. He rebukes them for “partiality” favouring the rich and powerful while ignoring the law, and asks how much longer they intend to let corruption continue”.
Verse 3: “Defend the poor and fatherless; do justice to the afflicted and needy”.
Explanation: This is the mandate for all who hold power. A leader’s true success is not measured by their wealth, but by how well they protect those who cannot protect themselves: the orphans and the impoverished.
Verse 4: “Deliver the poor and needy; free them from the hand of the wicked”.
Explanation: It is not enough to simply “feel” for the poor; the Psalmist demands action. Judges are instructed to actively intervene and snatch the vulnerable out of the grasp of those who would exploit them.
Verse 5: “They do not know, nor do they understand; they walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are unstable”.
Explanation: This verse describes the consequence of corrupt leadership. When judges are blind to justice and walk in “darkness” (ignorance or greed), the very “foundations” of society begin to crumble. Without justice, the world becomes unstable.
Verse 6: “I said, ‘You are gods, and all of you are children of the Most High’”.
Explanation: אֱלֹהִים reminds the rulers of their status. They were meant to be His representatives on earth, acting with His authority and reflecting His character.
Verse 7: “But you shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes”.
Explanation: Despite their high titles and “Divine” authority, these rulers are mortal. אֱלֹהִים warns them that they will face death and judgment just like any other human being. Their power is temporary.
Verse 8: “Arise, O אֱלֹהִים, judge the earth; for You shall inherit all nations”.
Explanation: The Psalm ends with a prayer for אֱלֹהִים to take back the
courtroom. Since human judges have failed, the Psalmist calls upon אֱלֹהִים to manifest His justice
personally across the entire world, for all nations ultimately belong to Him.
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My Concluding
Message:
The core message of Psalm 82 is a reminder
that accountability is inescapable. It
serves as a comfort to the oppressed, promising that even when human legal
systems fail and leaders become corrupt, there is a Supreme Judge who sees the
truth. It teaches us that authority is not a privilege for self-gain but a
sacred stewardship to protect the vulnerable. The Psalm concludes with hope,
looking forward to a time when אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s perfect justice will "inherit all nations," replacing
human frailty with Divine righteousness.
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Note: “hebraicstudies”
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This site was originally created, for those who desired to return to our blessed and wonderful faith. Thus be wise and work on your faith and pray at least two or three times a day (if possible) and always seek our beloved אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s guidance, for His love is always with us, especially when we seek Him, blessed be He! However this site has become very much a teaching site with hundreds of studies!
Remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim,
blessed be He, said the following via several of our prophets...
“Return unto Me, and I will return unto you,
saith צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה- the LORD of
hosts”. Mal’a’chi - Malachi 3:7. (JPS).
And Remember ...
Enjoy your Sabbath Rest, Shabbat Shalom!
אֲנִי
יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֵיכֶם, בְּחֻקּוֹתַי
לֵכוּ; וְאֶת-מִשְׁפָּטַי
שִׁמְרוּ, וַעֲשׂוּ
אוֹתָם
וְאֶת-שַׁבְּתוֹתַי, קַדֵּשׁוּ; וְהָיוּ
לְאוֹת, בֵּינִי
וּבֵינֵיכֶם-לָדַעַת, כִּי
אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם
“I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - the LORD your Eloheichem; walk in My statutes,
and keep Mine ordinances, and do them; and hallow My Sabbaths, and they shall
be a sign between Me and you, that ye may know that I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - the
LORD your Eloheichem”. Yechezkel
- Ezekiel 20:19-20. (JPS).
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“The More Torah, the
More Life”
For אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim, Blessed be His Sanctified Name,
He is
the one who gave us our Life!”
May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom = Peace of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה= the LORD of hosts. be with
you, and please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat, as well as
the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim -
Feasts, and continue saying your daily תְּפִלָּה - Tefeelah’s (Prayers)
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(blessings) before food and drinks, etc!
שָׁלוֹם
עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom
Aleichem - Peace be with you!
Rabbi,
Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens,
PhD.
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