Psalms 82:2
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Psalms 82:2
2 How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.
Chapter Context
Psalms 82 is a poetic and liturgical chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of discipleship, fellowship, covenant. Written during various periods (c. 1000-400 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Temple worship utilized these compositions across various periods of Israel's history.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-8: Development of key themes
This chapter is significant because it provides guidance for worship and spiritual devotion. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Psalms and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Psalms 82:2
2 How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.
Analysis
How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah. God's rhetorical question indicts corrupt judges with devastating directness. "How long" (עַד־מָתַי/ad-matai) expresses divine patience approaching its limit. God has endured injustice, giving opportunity for repentance, but judgment draws near. This echoes prophetic refrains (Habakkuk 1:2, Revelation 6:10) crying out against prolonged wickedness.
"Judge unjustly" (תִּשְׁפְּטוּ־עָוֶל/tishpetu-avel) contradicts the fundamental purpose of judges. Avel denotes perversion, injustice, unrighteousness—judging becomes its opposite when personal gain or favoritism corrupts verdicts. Judges called to execute God's justice instead perpetrate injustice, a damnable inversion.
"Accept the persons of the wicked" (פְּנֵי־רְשָׁעִים תִּשְׂאוּ/penei-resha'im tis'u) means showing partiality based on status rather than truth. Literally "lifting up the face," this phrase denotes favoring certain parties—the wealthy, powerful, or connected—while denying justice to the poor and powerless. Deuteronomy 1:17 and 16:19 explicitly forbid such partiality. "Selah" punctuates this damning question, demanding contemplation of judicial corruption's gravity.
Historical Context
Psalm 82 depicts God presiding over a divine council, judging those appointed to judge (whether human magistrates or angelic beings delegated authority—scholarly debate continues). Throughout Israel's history, judicial corruption plagued society. Prophets repeatedly condemned judges who took bribes, favored the rich, and oppressed the poor (Isaiah 1:23, 10:1-2; Micah 3:11; Amos 5:12). The psalm reflects covenant lawsuit (riv) tradition where God prosecutes His people's leaders for covenant violations.
Reflection
- What modern forms of 'accepting persons'—showing favoritism—do you witness or participate in, and how can these be confronted?
- How should the certainty of divine judgment over human judges inform Christian engagement with legal and political systems?
- In what ways might you be guilty of 'judging unjustly' in your own sphere of influence or authority?
Cross-References
- Judgment: Deuteronomy 1:17
- Righteousness: Proverbs 18:5
- Parallel theme: Galatians 2:6