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Psalm 82: 1-2, 8 (NIV)

God presides in the great assembly; he renders judgment among the “gods”: “How long will you defend the unjust and show partiality to the wicked?” Rise up, O God, judge the earth, for all the nations are your inheritance.

There is a scene near the end of the first Avengers movie (2012) where the Hulk has a one-on-one encounter with the villain, Loki, a mythological type “god” from another part of the universe. Hulk is a mere brute, and Loki is incensed that he has the nerve to confront his god-like status with mere violence. “I am a god, you dull creature, and I will not be bullied by…” Before he can utter the next word, Hulk grabs him by the foot and smashes him to and fro like a rag doll. Loki is left in a hole, struggling to breathe. Hulk looks back at him as he walks away in victory and comments, “Puny god.” And so it is with all the “puny” rulers of the earth with regards to God Almighty.

Psalm 82 can be confusing with its multiple references to “gods”. In the original language, the word was “Elohim,” and most often used to describe the true God, Yahweh. Sometimes it is used as the plural of pagan deities, the false gods of the nations, and is sometimes used in reference to angelic beings. In today’s context, Elohim is best taken as a reference to human judges, who stand in the place of God in their ability to determine the fate of others. Be them Presidents or Prime Ministers, Judges or Magistrates, those who seem to have almost god-like powers in the earth will ultimately die just like men (verse 7) and face the True Judge (Heb. 9:27). God has both established and limits the authority of these earthly “gods” and it is to Him that that will be held accountable.

George Horne (1730-1792) was an English churchman and academic who later in his life was appointed as Chaplain to King George III. This particular king ruled over England during the days of the American Revolution, so you can only imagine what his chaplain was exposed to as his King wrestled with the greatest revolution in world history. Regarding Psalm 82, Horne observed, “Earthly judicatories are the appointment of God. All magistrates act in his name, and by virtue of his commission. He is invisibly present at their assemblies and superintends their proceedings. He receives appeals from their wrongful decisions; he will one day re-hear all causes at his own tribunal, and reverse every iniquitous sentence, before the great congregation of men and angels.” A lowly royal chaplain could plainly see the prophetic writing on the wall, even for a man as powerful as King George III.

Christians throughout the centuries have witnessed, been blessed by, and been oppressed by great kings and rulers and despots and tyrants and madmen. At times, and still today, Christians may wonder, “Where are you in all of this, Lord?” This why bible study is so important. The Scriptures make it clear, time and time again, that God is overseeing every detail in human history:

The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good (Pr. 15:3).

And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds (Rev. 20:12-13).

Amen and Amen.