Troublesome Topic: PSALM 82 AND THE COUNCIL OF THE GODS

Psalms 82:1

Translation

A Psalm of ASAPH.

ELOHIM stands in the assembly of EL,

He judges in the midst of the ELOHIM.

(See comment below.)

Paraphrase

A psalm of THE GATHERER

THE CREATOR AND RULER OF ALL THINGS is more powerful than foreign gods like the Canaanite god EL; He has the authority to call to account all human authority figures who think they are POWERFUL.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS PSALM?

This is a psalm about the sovereignty of the God of creation, the God of the children of Israel. It establishes God’s sovereignty by comparing His power to rule and the kindness with which He rules, with that of other entities of power.

I choose to interpret this psalm as a comparison between the God who usually goes by the name ELOHIM and all other entities of power, be they humans or false gods. Most of the statements that follow seem to be directed at human leaders, especially judges, but some of them can also be seen as attacks on the belief in false gods. Why must we choose only one? Why can’t this psalm be a refutation of both human judges and false gods?

Psalms 82:2

Translation

Until when will you judge unjustly, and carry the wicked? (Selah)

Paraphrase

[He addressed them with these accusations] How long will you continue to rule and judge in ways that promote injustice rather than justice? How long will you accept and even promote the cause of the wicked? (The director of music says or motions – “Lift up the answer, make it louder.”)

Psalms 82:3

Translation

Judge

the low and the orphan and do justice for the suppressed and those in want;

Paraphrase

This is what you should be doing – be the kind of judge that avenges the weak and the orphan, one that vindicates the cause of those that are afflicted by an oppressor and those that are in desperate need;

Psalms 82:4

Translation

Deliver those who are low and in want, snatch [them] from the hand of the wicked;

Paraphrase

You should rescue those who are weak and in desperate need, snatching them from the grasp of their wicked oppressors;

Psalms 82:5

Translation

They do not know; and they do not distinguish; they walk in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are removed.

Paraphrase

The false gods know nothing; they have no discernment; the wicked human judges function as if they are in total darkness; they have cast aside all the things that are foundational for the proper functioning of society.

Psalms 82:6

Translation

I said, “You are Elohim; you are children of Elyon.”

Paraphrase

I said, “You are mighty rulers; you are children of exalted rulers.”

Psalms 82:7

Translation

But in fact,

like men you shall die; and like every leader

you will fall.

Paraphrase

But wait a minute, reality says something different because, just like ordinary men, you will die; and just like every other human leader, you will not hold on to your authority indefinitely.

Psalms 82:8

Translation

Rise up, [Oh] ELOHIM, judge the earth, for you possess all nations. (See comments below.)

Paraphrase

Oh CREATOR AND RULER OF ALL THINGS, let your full power and glory be clearly seen when you render judgment on the entire world, which you have the right to do because you already own the whole world and everything in it.

THE WEAKNESS OF HUMAN LEADERS

The most natural interpretation of this psalm is that it is addressing human leaders, especially those that serve as judges. They have not acted as they should; they have not used their authority as God wanted them to nor as God Himself acts. In due time God, the true judge, the only one with ultimate authority, will judge the judges.

On a secondary level, it is also a statement about the worthlessness and weakness of false gods. They are not real, but even the belief in them will one day be shown for what it is, a bad choice, for they, just like mere men, have no real power and will come to nothing.

WHAT ABOUT “THE COUNCIL OF THE GODS” THEORY?

There is a theory that has been popularized by Michael Heiser which posits that the God of creation is part of a “council of the gods” and all of them have some power and can do things. Supposedly, the Nephilim of Genesis 6:1-4 make of up part of this “council of gods”. The God of creation is the most powerful entity in this council, but not in a truly sovereign way. He cannot control these other deities, and we have some of the problems we do today because these other powerful entities are wreaking havoc among humans.

However, promoting that theory by means of this psalm requires turning this psalm upside down! It is based on the words “assembly of El” but it ignores the rest of the psalm. Michael Heiser has given himself the freedom to interpret the phrase “Assembly of El” however he wants to instead of allowing the psalm it appears in to define it and clarify it.

In Psalm 82, the God of creation is clearly depicted as having all power; other entities of power must submit to Him. Human authorities, such as heads of state and judges, exercise authority only because God has granted them power in order to further His causes; they are to be a reflection of Him. Using their power for their own benefit is an afront to the one who gave them that power.

According to this psalm and the rest of the Bible, all supposed deities that are not the creator God, only exist in the imaginations of men, or are demons masquerading as deities. Whenever there are demonic forces behind them, it will come to light that their authority has been stolen, not granted. Satan and his demons are allowed to function within certain limitations that God has established and they know they will be punished in the end.

There is no competition for who is truly God. This psalm does not make the God of the Bible look weak and incapable; it makes our God look all-powerful and other entities look weak.

Footnotes

1: "assembly of EL"

This is the only time that the phrase “assembly of El” is used in the Bible. El is singular, and thus, probably meant to be specific. It seems to be referring to the Canaanite god El, who was their highest god, although not their most popular god. There was also a Babylonian god named El, but few Hebrews had contact with the followers of that Babylonian god, so I think it is most likely a reference to the Canaanite god. The purpose here seems to be to use this high god of the Canaanites as a demonstration of the true God’s sovereignty over any and all entities who were thought to have special power.

2: "the ELOHIM"

The word ELOHIM is plural and has several possible meanings. It was used of human judges and other leaders who exercise authority, of angels, of foreign gods, and most often of the God of creation worshipped by the Hebrew people. Context must indicate which one was being referred to. It is usually safe to assume it was being used of the God of creation as described in the Bible unless context indicates such an interpretation is untenable. In this verse, the first ELOHIM refers to the God of the Hebrews, the second time it does not.

3: Regarding Selah

Since Selah is used after a question, it seems to be used here as a way for the director of music to indicate to the choir to “lift up, or build” the next part, the answer. See my full explanation of the word Selah in my lessons entitled “Selah” Deserves Special Consideration

4: "judge"

This is the word for “judge” but one of the roles of a judge, is “to avenge or vindicate those who are doing right,” not just “pronounce punishment on those who are doing wrong.” All the roles that a judge was expected to fulfill were expressed by this word. Apparently, many judges were helping the powerful take advantage of the weak rather than standing up for them.

5: "removed"

This word has the idea of “to move out of the way” as its central concept. From there they created other uses of it, such as “to shake, to overthrow, to cast aside, to carry away, to fall into decay, to slide, to slip.”

6: "But in fact"

This is a very strong word, much stronger than a normal “but or rather.” It was often used to form the second half of a contrast when it followed a statement that began with “I said”, as seen in verse 7.

7: "leader"

This word is very broad, encompassing any type of leader or ruler of people. I have chosen to render it in the most general way possible, rather than choosing one of the more specific meanings.