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In this week’s study from Tehillim / Psalms 82:1-8, the Psalm opens saying, א מִזְמ֗וֹר לְאָ֫סָ֥ף אֱֽלֹהִ֗ים נִצָּ֥ב בַּעֲדַת־אֵ֑ל בְּקֶ֖רֶב אֱלֹהִ֣ים יִשְׁפֹּֽט׃ A psalm of Asaph. 82:1 God takes His stand in His own congregation; He judges in the midst of the rulers. (NASB) Asaph states that the Lord God takes a stand in His own congregation. What does it mean that He is taking a stand? He says that the Lord judges in the midst of judges (יִשְׁפֹּֽט). The Apostle Peter said in 1 Peter 4:17 For it is the time for the judgment to have begun from the house of God; and if from us first, what will be the outcome of those disobeying the gospel of God? (NASB) Note the Judgment is based upon obedience. Asaph continues saying, ב עַד־מָתַ֥י תִּשְׁפְּטוּ־עָ֑וֶל וּפְנֵ֥י רְ֝שָׁעִ֗ים תִּשְׂאוּ־סֶֽלָה׃ ג שִׁפְטוּ־דַ֥ל וְיָת֑וֹם עָנִ֖י וָרָ֣שׁ הַצְדִּֽיקוּ׃ ד פַּלְּטוּ־דַ֥ל וְאֶבְי֑וֹן מִיַּ֖ד רְשָׁעִ֣ים הַצִּֽילוּ׃ ה לֹ֤א יָֽדְע֨וּ ׀ וְלֹ֥א יָבִ֗ינוּ בַּחֲשֵׁכָ֥ה יִתְהַלָּ֑כוּ יִ֝מּ֗וֹטוּ כָּל־מ֥וֹסְדֵי אָֽרֶץ׃ 82:2 How long will you judge unjustly And show partiality to the wicked? Selah. 82:3 Vindicate the weak and fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and destitute. 82:4 Rescue the weak and needy; Deliver them out of the hand of the wicked. 82:5 They do not know nor do they understand; They walk about in darkness; All the foundations of the earth are shaken. (NASB) Notice how judgment is connected to showing partiality to the wicked, to justice, righteousness, and having just scales, weights and measures, and to being called gods (the term Elohim is a homonym, and denotes God, angels, judges). Read more here: Tehillim 82-Part1
