I Said, “You Are Gods” – Psalm 82

When Jesus claimed equality with God (John 10:30, “I and the Father are one”), the Jews were ready to stone him.  But Jesus deflected their intentions by citing Psalm 82, where Yahweh calls human rulers “gods.”  If God called their human leaders “gods,” why would they be upset with the one, himself, whom the Father consecrated and sent into the world and charge him with blasphemy?  Isn’t he greater than these human rulers?

A Psalm of Asaph.

God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment:  “How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Selah   Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute.  Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”

They have neither knowledge nor understanding, they walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken.

I said, “You are gods, sons of the Most High, all of you; nevertheless, like men you shall die, and fall like any prince.”

Arise, O God, judge the earth; for you shall inherit all the nations!  (Psalm 82 ESV)

God gives human rulers god-like responsibility to rule with justice, to maintain the rights of those who cannot wield power and deliver them from the hands of the wicked.  But when the “gods” or human rulers fail in this they allow the darkness to envelop them and their society and overthrow the foundations of life God put in place for mankind to thrive.  So God will judge the “gods” as the oppressed call on Him to judge the earth, His inheritance, and God will restore order.  Jesus is the true “god” par excellence who will be used by God to bring about this restoration.