Psalm 82 reminds me of many politicians today. There seems to be an air of superiority among our elected officials. Although I believe this is a phenomenon common to man since the first election, I don’t believe our founders ever intended for politicians to make careers out of “Civil Service”. The idea was for citizen legislators to go back home after sacrificing their time and then live under the laws they created. Congress was never intended to be a ruling class. The psalm pokes fun at the politicians of the day that had also become corrupted with power. He calls them “gods” but makes it clear to all of us even today, “God presides in the great assembly“. He asks a question many have asked of our politicians, “How long will you defend the unjust and show partiality to the wicked?“. Our forefathers created a system of government called a representative democracy in order to give power to citizens to vote out those that do not represent their district properly. He writes, “Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless“. Today politicians use “for the children” to justify every bill they submit. Listen to how he describes the judges of Israel, “They know nothing, they understand nothing. They walk about in darkness“. The psalm ends with a dose a reality, “you will die like mere men… like every other ruler“. He then prays, “Rise up, O God, judge the earth, for all the nations are Your inheritance“. We should not ask if God is on our side, but rather are we on God’s side?
Psalm 83 continues the appeal to God to “not keep silent” and “be not still“. The psalmist describes how many are against Israel and the God of Israel, “See how your enemies… they plot against those You cherish… conspire against Your people“. There is one constant in Israel’s history; their neighbors agree, “let us destroy them as a nation“. The psalmist calls it, “an alliance against You” because God is the protector of Israel. Next he lists a series of kings and cities and towns peoples that no longer exist or are completely inconsequential today. He prays that those nations that say, “Let us take possession of the pasturelands of God“, “Make them like tumbleweed“. I believe this is the end result of nations that oppose Israel.
From the creation of Man, Satan has been trying to destroy, pollute or corrupt the line of the Messiah. Beginning in Genesis chapter 3 when Satan denies God’s Word, “You will not surely die“. Continuing with the murder of all males in Egypt (Exodus chapter 1) and Saul’s attempts to kill David, God constantly intervened. Even preserving the line through Queen Esther, in captivity and in exile the line was preserved, “So that men will seek Your name, O Lord“. The Messiah was born in a barn in an obscure town called Bethlehem. The angel announced to the lowly shepherds in the field, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christthe Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger“. Jesus became the Savior of the world through His sinless sacrifice on the cross. Now Satan desires to stop the spread of God’s Word, to keep the gospel of grace ridiculed and hidden and corrupted. The psalm closes with a prayer, “Let them know that You, whose name is the Lord that You alone are the Most High over all the earth“. Will you continue to help spread the good news?