Psalm 82 is perhaps perplexing to the modern reader, but for ancient people the idea of a chief God presiding over a council of “gods” was familiar. This is the opening scene of the psalm. The psalmist is not acknowledging here that there exist other gods. Rather, he is setting up this scenario to demonstrate the deficiency of the gods that were worshipped by Israel’s pagan neighbours. In effect, the psalmist is saying: “If your gods were real (which they are not), then they would be unjust, useless, ignorant and powerless.” That’s the judgement that God declares on these pagan gods which, in historical context, were really mythological facades for evil human rule (it is possibly human rulers that are in mind in verse 6). There are varying interpretations of this psalm, but the central theme is clear. Let’s note here what this denunciation focuses on. It focuses on the inability of pagan gods/rulers to bring about mercy and justice for the poor and oppressed in their realms of influence. This demonstrates God’s priority and standard. You have a field of influence and God wants you to bring kindness and mercy to those in need. In each of our individual contexts this may not be material need or systemic injustice. It may involve having regard for society’s ‘rejects’ and having regard for those who tend to get forgotten. It may mean offering friendship to the lonely and grace to those who are vilified. Love should give us eyes to see the need and the will to meet it in whatever form it comes.
Ask God to show you where there is a need that you can meet and pray for the wisdom to do what is best.
Read Psalm 82
