PRAYER FOR DIVINE JUSTICE

PSALM 82

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SCRIPTURE READING IN ENGLISH

1 A Psalm of Asaph.

God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods.

2 How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.

3 Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.

4 Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.

5 They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course.

6 I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.

7 But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.

8 Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations.

INTRODUCTION

Ancient Israel was a theocracy, God rules by His appointed judges. These judges give the absolute final word in any dispute or judgment for any criminal. There is no appeal. No higher court. Whatever an Israelite judge said to the criminal is final.

The judges of Israel are to rule according to God's laws. They are to reflect God to the people. They are as gods to the people (v 1 ). Their sacred appointment was to mete out justice according to God's Word. However, when judges become corrupt and take bribes, justice is perverted. The poor and innocent have no recourse but to cry out to God for divine justice.

Psalm 82 describes the judges to whom God has vested such authority becoming so corrupt. The people cried for help, for God to intervene against blatant injustice.

Verses 1-2 "God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods. How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah."

This psalm begins by putting things in perspective that God is still in charge amidst mighty men vested with great powers abusing their authority.

One such situation of wicked judges oppressing Israel was seen during the close time of the judge-prophet Samuel's ministry. The culprits were his own sons Joel and Abiah.

1 Samuel 8:1-3 "And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel. Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: they were judges in Beersheba. And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment."

The judges of Israel can order a person to be fined, to be beaten with not more than 39 stripes or be stoned to death depending on the offence. Appearing before the judges of Israel is just like appearing before God. Judges function as gods to the people.

Verse 5 "They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course."

If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? These judges are supposed to know God's laws, to obey and to live by them. Yet they walk in sin and hypocrisy. When the foundations for law and order are shaky, the entire society crumples.

We see this all too often in the newspapers of corruption cases involving judges and leaders of countries. Society suffers, people suffer.

To these corrupt judges, we must say, a man's life consists not in the abundance of the things which he possesses. A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked. Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith. Godliness with contentment is great gain, having food and raiment let us be therewith content. Let our conversation be without covetousness: and be content with such things as we have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. [Adapted from the Daily Light]

(2) Innocent Victims Sought Redress (v 3-4 )

Verse 3-4 "Defend (vindicate) the poor and fatherless: do justice (to be just) to the afflicted and needy. Deliver (rescue) the poor and needy: rid (deliver, snatch) them out of the hand of the wicked."

4 imperatives giving added emphasis to the sufferings and misgivings in the heart of the innocent, subjected to the great injustice of these corrupt judges.

These poor and fatherless, poor and needy are without recourse in face of these powers that be.

One writer lamented when he wrote, "One of the most serious mistakes a person can make is assuming that he or she will receive a fair trial from an impartial judge. The problem of bad/corrupt judges, defined as those who willfully violate their oath of office for whatever reason (bribery, blackmail, political allegiance, personnel bias, etc) has plagued today's courts. " He added, "instead of objectivity administering true justice, judges are ruling according to their personal biases and political allegiances. It is truly said that power corrupts… Judges cannot be sued for their errors, they have personally written laws to disallow it."

Verses 6-7 "I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High. But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes."

Men seemed helpless against the overwhelming powers of corrupt authorities. But these verses tell us that in the sight of God, these "gods" will themselves be judged and punished in due time. There is no escape. Their downfall will come. God is infinite, eternal and unchangeable in His justice. He is perfectly just. The justice of God is the result of His perfect holiness. He cannot tolerate sin, especially wickedness in high places, where the consequences of their wickedness have great repercussions in the lives of those grievously hurt.

Verse 8 "Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations."

The psalmist looked beyond, rising above the corrupt judges of Israel, to the Judge of Judges, the Perfect Judge, God Himself, seated sovereign on His exalted throne, to right all wrongs! He is able and he rests his case with Him. The justice of God will pervade all nations for He is the sovereign judge. Nothing escapes His watchful eye and no justice can be perverted under His watchful care. This is the comfort of every saint.