LORD OVER THE NATIONS
Opening Prayer
Lord, I know my place and aspire to nothing higher.
Read PSALM 82
A psalm of Asaph.
1 God presides in the great assembly;
he renders judgment among the “gods”:
2 “How long will you[a] defend the unjust
and show partiality to the wicked?[b]
3 Defend the weak and the fatherless;
uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.
4 Rescue the weak and the needy;
deliver them from the hand of the wicked.
5 “The ‘gods’ know nothing, they understand nothing.
They walk about in darkness;
all the foundations of the earth are shaken.
6 “I said, ‘You are “gods”;
you are all sons of the Most High.’
7 But you will die like mere mortals;
you will fall like every other ruler.”
8 Rise up, O God, judge the earth,
for all the nations are your inheritance.
Footnotes:
a Psalm 82:2 The Hebrew is plural.
b Psalm 82:2 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Meditate
“The LORD reigns for ever and ever.” (Exodus 15:18) Lord, we worship You today, Ruler over all of creation and all of our circumstances.
Think Further
The psalmist issues a heartfelt plea for basic justice. The use of the word “gods” (6) has been debated over the centuries. Some think this refers to deities who competed for Israel’s affection; others think it refers to earthly rulers and nations who will account for their actions. Whichever view we take, the psalmist focuses our minds not on the “gods” but on the One God, the Lord. It is he who presides over the “great assembly” and assigns judgment to their actions (1). It is God who is eternal, not the “gods,” for they will one day perish and fall (7). The “gods” are temporary, but the Lord is permanent and reigns forever. This is sobering reading and reflection for all of us. Any of us who unwisely think ourselves of any importance are reminded that one day everyone, even the most powerful, will die and stand before an omnipotent judge and that our wisdom and knowledge will wither before this judge.
Also, this is a great comfort to those oppressed by powerful neighboring nations and find themselves at the whim of a regional despot. Even those who exercise great earthly power are subject to the all-powerful judge who awaits their arrival on the other side. The heartfelt cries of despair (2–4) express a longing for justice to be served and for the Lord to act in compassion and mercy. Thanks to hindsight we are comforted by the certainty that the Lord does act and that an end to injustice and oppression will one day come. On that day God’s kingly rule will break out across the earth, and all will be made well.
Apply
Lord of the nations, grant us grace to persevere in the struggles, grant us hope that a new day is dawning, grant Your mercy towards those who propagate injustice.
Closing prayer
Lord, we thank You for establishing righteous judges among us who, like You, dispense justice with a sense of equity and impartiality.
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