I. ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE PSALMIST (1). PROCLAMATION. First Scene. II. ARRAIGNMENT BY THE JUDGE (2-7). PRONOUNCEMENT. I. Sin of the Judges (2-4). {a) The Accusation (2). Selah. (b) The Admonition (3-4). 2. State of the Judges (5). Self-complacency. 3. Sentence upon the Judges (6-7). (a) The Constitution (6). (b) The Conderµnation (7). ID. APPEAL BY THE PSALMIST (8). PETITION. Final Scene. SUPERSCRIPT.-A Psalm of (or, for) Asaph. PRIMARY AssoCIATION.-See remarks under Ps. lxxiii. The present psalm is dramatic in form and characterised by intensity _as well as brevity. It is a companion composition to Ps. 1., the only Asaphic
psalm in Book II. In the latter we see the assembly of Israel gathered for judgment; fu. lxxxii. the authorities of Israel are gathered for judgment. C£ Ps. lviii. PROPHETIC ANTICIPATION.-One of the first effects of returning light (Ps. lxxxi.) is the exposure of evil in the nation. This must be judged and purge_µ. God begins with the men that have administered the g¤vemment as His representatives. Man having failed, there is no. other refuge for the creature than in God Himself, who, in the person of Messiah upon the throne, will be the true successor to the administrators of earth (8). PERSONAL APPLICATION.-" A man's opportunity determines his responsibility, and his responsibility (ability to respond) measures his accountability¥" This applies not only to individuals, but also to cities and nations. When God holds the scales of justice the balance is even. He is no respecter of persons. The office of one who rules is not only to defend but to deliver (3-4). Even princes of this world must die (7). Our Lord shows us why men continue to walk in darkness notwithstanding the shining of the light, John 111. 19-20. VERSE NOTES I. Lit. "assembly of El." God solemnly takes His place as president of the court amid the assembly of the rulers of His people; "gods" = Heb. elohim, the authorities in Israel ( 6). 2. The judges are accused of injustice and partiality; "wicked" = lawless, so 4. " Selah" connects the accusation with the admonition. 5. Jehovah's indignant aside; "They have no knowledge, neither will they get understanding," needful qualities for a judge; (c) the illegal administration of law, and the lack of justice and mercy, principles upon which all moral order is based, endanger the moral stability of the world. 6. "I" (emph.); "gods," see I. Administrators are so called as being invested with divine authority to execute judgment in God's name; His representatives were responsible to judge in accordance with His character of righteousness and mercy; qtd. by our Lord (John x. 34 ff.), who reasons that if such unworthy representatives were called gods, was it blasphemy for God's special representative, His life and work testifying to the fact, to call Himself the Son of God? It is not, however, a mere verbal argument but a hint of the incarnation; "ye" (emph.). 7. (b) or, "And fall like (men), 0 ye princes!" 8. "Thou" (emph.); Israel's only resource is in God Himself; He alone is worthy to undertake the office as Sovereign and Judge, not only of Israel but of all the nations.
REVELATION OF THE DIVI_NE HOLINESS
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