Arise, O God, and judge the earth (Psalm 82:8)

Says “Arise, O God, judge the earth, for all the nations are Your inheritance.” (82:8, BSB). The prayer is קוּמָה אֱלֹהִים שָׁפְטָה הָאָרֶץ. Its ground is כִּי־אַתָּה תִנְחַל בְּכָל־הַגּוֹיִם, for you will inherit among all the nations. The BSB’s noun clause is not the Hebrew clause.

Says The verb נחל and גּוֹיִם are shared with Deut 32:8–9 (בְּהַנְחֵל עֶלְיוֹן גּוֹיִם … נַחֲלָתוֹ). That shared wording is a verbal link. See the notes on Deut 32:8–9; they do not identify the אֱלֹהִים of this psalm.

Uncertain Whether 82:8 deliberately answers or reverses the allotment in Deut 32:8–9. No lean is taken here. The question depends partly on the reading of Deut 32:8, where “sons of God” is printed and the Masoretic “sons of Israel” is the named alternative, and on who is judged in 82:1 and 82:6.

Uncertain Whether 82:8 is messianic or eschatological. A lean is taken toward the plain sense: God is asked to judge the earth because he will take possession among the nations. Readings that find a later fulfillment in Christ’s rule are named by reference and are not required by the grammar.