This Psalm is a vision of judgement. It sets forth, in a highly poetical and imaginative form, the responsibility of earthly judges to the Supreme Judge, Whose representatives they are, and from Whom they derive their authority. The dramatic form, the representation of God as the Judge, and the intr... [ Continue Reading ]
A vision of God as the Judge of judges. _God_ Originally no doubt _Jehovah_, for which the Elohistic editor has substituted _Elôhîm. standeth_ Or, _taketh his stand_: solemnly takes His place as president. Cp. Isaiah 3:13 _a_; Amos 7:7; Amos 9:1. _in the congregation of the mighty_ I.e., as P.B.V.,... [ Continue Reading ]
_accept the persons_ Or, as R.V., respect the persons, shewing partiality to the rich and powerful. Strict impartiality in the administration of justice is frequently enjoined in the Law. Favouring the poor is condemned as well as favouring the rich. See Exodus 23:2-3; Exodus 23:6-8; Leviticus 19:15... [ Continue Reading ]
God speaks, arraigning the judges for injustice and partiality, and bidding them perform their duties faithfully.... [ Continue Reading ]
Judge the weak and fatherless: Do justice to the afflicted and destitute.... [ Continue Reading ]
Rescue the weak and needy: Deliver them out of the hand of the wicked. Cp. Isaiah 1:17; Isaiah 10:1-2. Human authorities are God's representatives to see that the weak and friendless have justice done them. See Exodus 22:22 ff.; Deuteronomy 10:17-18; Psalms 10:14; Psalms 10:18; Malachi 3:5: and co... [ Continue Reading ]
God is still the speaker; but instead of addressing the culprits, He describes their incorrigible blindness and obstinacy, before He pronounces sentence on them. They have no knowledge, neither will they get understanding, though these are the needful qualifications for a judge (1 Kings 3:9 ff.): th... [ Continue Reading ]
The character of these judges described and their sentence pronounced.... [ Continue Reading ]
I said, Te are gods, And all of you sons of the Most High (R.V.). I is emphatic. It is by God's appointment that they have been invested with divine authority to execute judgement in His name. Cp. the language used of the king, Psalms 2:7; Psalms 89:27. To the words of this verse our Lord appeale... [ Continue Reading ]
_But_ R.V., Nevertheless. Though they bear this high title, it will not exempt them from punishment. They shall die like common men, and fall like any other princes whose ruin is recorded in history (Hosea 7:7). Or is there an allusion to the princes mentioned in Psalms 83:9 ff.?... [ Continue Reading ]
The Psalmist has watched the trial and condemnation of Israel's judges; and the sight stirs him to appeal to God Himself to assume the office of Judge not only for Israel but for all the world. If Israel's judges have failed so lamentably in their duty towards their own countrymen, how can Israel ru... [ Continue Reading ]