Justice for the weak and Israel’s judges (82:2–4)

Says God asks, “How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked?” (Ps 82:2 [LXX 81:2], BSB). He commands, “Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; uphold the rights of the afflicted and oppressed” (82:3), and “Rescue the weak and needy” (82:4).

Says Scripture holds God and Israel’s courts to the same standard. The Lord is “showing no partiality and accepting no bribe” and “executes justice for the fatherless and widow” (Deut 10:17–18). Jehoshaphat tells his judges, “you are not judging for man, but for the Lord,” because with the Lord “there is no injustice or partiality or bribery” (2 Chr 19:6–7). The Lord “stands to judge the people” and charges the elders and leaders, “the plunder of the poor is in your houses” (Isa 3:13–14). Israel’s law brings cases “before the judges” (Exod 21:6; 22:8–9 [MT 22:7–8]), where the BSB’s “the judges” renders הָאֱלֹהִים (ha’elohim).

Uncertain Whom the charge of 82:2–4 addresses is open. Readers who take the אֱלֹהִים as human judges point to this courtroom language and to Exodus; readers who take them as heavenly beings read it as misrule over the nations (82:8); others see Israel at Sinai. No lean is taken here, and this background does not fix the meaning of 82:1 or 82:6.