Psalm 82

“God stands in the congregation of the mighty; He judges among the gods.  How long will you judge unjustly, and show partiality to the wicked? -  Selah” Psalm 82:1-2 (NKJV)

In Hebrew, the word “El” means “might, strength, power.”  “El” (upper case E) in Scripture refers to God, while “el” (lower case e) refers to a pagan god.  The word “el” also describes humans who God has endowed with might, strength, or power.  While there is more to say on the subject, in simple terms, the word “elohim” is a plural of “el.”  It literally translates as “many gods.”  When speaking of God, “Elohim” states that He is more powerful than all false gods put together.  Referring to humans (the Judges of Old Testament fame, for instance), God calls the religious leaders “elohim.”  This means that those religious and political leaders were a collection of men whom He endowed with might, strength, and power to accomplish His purposes.

The reason I mention this is that today’s psalm is a plea for justice, specifically, that “El” (God) would judge the “elohim” (judges) for judging unjustly!  I know it’s a bit of a tongue twister, but Jesus quotes today’s psalm in John 10.  So, we must understand the context of Psalm 82 if we want to know what Jesus was communicating at the temple on Hanukkah (Feast of Dedication).

“The Jews answered Him, saying, ‘For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God.’ Jesus answered them, ‘Is it not written in your law, “I said, “You are gods”?  If He called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), do you say of Him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, “You are blaspheming,” because I said, “I am the Son of God”? If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him.’ Therefore they sought again to seize Him, but He escaped out of their hand.”  John 10:33-39 (NKJV)

By quoting today’s psalm, Jesus was telling those religious leaders (whom had asked Him to tell them plainly if He was the Messiah) that it was their (the elohim, “judges”) job to judge if He was Messiah.  Furthermore, Jesus’ quoting of the psalm was an indictment on their inability to judge whether He was Messiah even though His works so plainly proved His Messianic role.  Context is key.

“Defend the poor and fatherless; do justice to the afflicted and needy.  Deliver the poor and needy; free them from the hand of the wicked.  They do not know, nor do they understand; they walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are unstable.  I said, “You are gods, and all of you are children of the Most High.  But you shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.” Psalm 82:6-8 (NKJV)

Only Elohim could judge that Jesus was El (Messiah)! (Jn 1:1-2; 14, Luke 20:42-43)

“Arise, O God, judge the earth; for You shall inherit all nations.” Psalm 82:8 (NKJV)