Psalms 82 - Introduction

A.M. 2959. B.C. 1045.

This Psalm contains an admonition, either, 1st, To the chief rulers of Israel, whether judges or kings, or their great council, called the Sanhedrim. Or, rather, 2d, To all the rulers of the world, to whom this word might come; as may be inferred, partly from the expressions here used, which are general, and not peculiar to the governors of Israel, and, therefore, are not unnecessarily to be confined to them; and partly from the last verse, in which he mentions the whole earth, and all nations, as being concerned in the contents of this Psalm. We have the dignity and duty of magistrates, Psalms 82:1. The wickedness of some magistrates, and their doom, Psalms 82:5. A prayer to God, Psalms 82:8.