The Gods of Psalm 82: Human or Divine?
Psalm 82:1 states, “God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment.” Later in Psalm 82:6-7 we read, “I said, ‘You are gods, sons of the Most High, all of you; nevertheless, like men you shall die, and fall like any prince.'” The identity of the “gods” in Psalm 82 has been interpreted a variety of ways. For sake of brevity, we will cover the two most popular understandings of “gods.”
The Gods as Human Judges
Interpreting the gods in Psalm 82 as a reference to human judges is very common. Support for this idea is drawn from Exodus 22:8, where someone accused of being an accomplice to a thief comes “near to God” to take an oath about what happened. This is often interpreted as going before the Israelite judges (cf. Exod 21:6, where a master brings his slave before God).
Conceptually this idea could relate to Exodus 18:13-24 where Moses represents God, but is overwhelmed by the amount of administrative judging he needs to do for the people, so on the advice of his father-in-law he appoints other judges. The thought could be that if Moses represents God, so do the other judges, and maybe they can be referred to as gods as a representative of God.
However, in Exodus 22:8 (and 21:6) there is no reason these references cannot refer to God. Clearly these are major life occurrences described, so going to the Tabernacle and taking an oath before the priest and God would be quite a sensible act.
There are other passages that should be considered. For example, Moses is referred to as God (Exod 4:16; 7:1), but there a clear comparison is being made specifying his relationship with Aaron as his prophet. Perhaps the clearest example of an individual being referred to as God would be Psalm 45:6, where the king of Israel seems to be called God. However, the Messianic implications of the Psalm may prohibit that verse from being applied too broadly.
The Gods as Divine Beings
The word for God is Elohim (אלהים), and can be used as a singular (e.g., God), or with reference to a plurality of gods. Because the word usually shows up in the same form, context helps the reader determine the referent. A study of the word Elohim reveals the following uses:
- Yahweh, God of Israel (most common)
- The gods which govern the nations (Deut 32:8-9; Ps 82?; cf. Dan 10:13)
- The gods which foreign nations worship (e.g., 1 Kings 11:33)
- Demons (Deut 32:17)
- Spirits of the dead (1 Sam 28:13)
- Angels (Ps 8:5)
Based on the above, I think it is helpful to describe the Hebrew concept of Elohim as a description of a spirit being that operates in a spiritual realm. This does not mean all spiritual beings are equal (obviously). Yahweh claims superiority over all so-called gods, and none can compare with Him (cf. Isa 45:5-6).
Not only does a broad survey of Scripture support the idea that the gods of Psalm 82 are divine beings, but the details in Psalm 82 also support this.
- The setting is the “divine council/assembly” (v. 1)
- The setting is additionally clarified as the “midst of the gods” (v. 1)
- The “gods” are referred to as Elohim twice (v. 1, 6), and sons of the Most High once (v. 6)
- The judgment, “like men you shall die” reads better if they are not men. Otherwise the judgment must simply be a metaphorical comparison.
One interesting question is, how are we to understand Psalm 82:7a, “like men [the gods] shall die”? Although we often view angels as immortal in contrast to human beings, this contrast is sometimes overplayed. Scripture seems to indicate fallen angels will participate in the Second Death alongside humans (Rev 21:14).
We are told that the beast and the false prophet are thrown into the lake of fire (Rev 19:20), and later the devil is included (Rev 20:10). Finally, all unrighteous humans are also emptied into the lake of fire (Rev 20:12-15). Although angels are not specifically mentioned by name, I find it reasonable to conclude that at the end of time, believers will act as judges of the angels (1 Cor 6:2-3), and they will follow their leader (the devil) into the lake of fire and the Second Death.
The Gods as Responsible for the Nations
If Psalm 82 is best understood as a reference to gods (i.e., spiritual beings), then the implication is that God has given certain spiritual beings (angels) charge over the nations.
When the most High gave to the nations their inheritance, when he divided mankind, he fixed the borders of the peoples according to the number of the sons of God. But the LORD’s portion is his people, Jacob his allotted heritage (Deut 32:8-9).
Although there is a textual critical issue in this passage, the best reading for Deuteronomy 32:8 mentions the nations put under the authority of the sons of God. The phrase sons of God is used elsewhere to clearly refer to angels (cf. Job 38:7). Thus, similar to what is talked about in Psalm 82, the gods (i.e., angels or spiritual beings) are given authority to judge and guide the nations.
Daniel 10:12-14 gives a similar picture into the spiritual realm. Daniel is told about a specific spiritual being that has authority over Persia. Later, Daniel is also told about an authority from Greece (Dan 10:20), which is presumably another spiritual entity.
Daniel 10, Deuteronomy 32, and Psalm 82 all argue for the existence of spiritual beings called gods, sons of God, or angels. They are given authority among the nations, and Psalm 82 makes very clear they will be held accountable for their actions.
Photo by Andreas Kind on Unsplash
Peter Goeman
Peter serves at Shepherd's Theological Seminary in Cary, NC as the professor of Old Testament and Biblical Languages. He loves studying the Bible and helping others understand it. He also runs The Bible Sojourner podcast and Youtube channel.
10 Comments
nathan bellairs
You are all missing an important Bible verse here. Since we know that the Bible CANNOT contradict itself we have a huge problem saying that Angels are the “sons of GOD.”
Hebrews 1:5 “For unto which of the angels said HE at any time, Thou art my Son, This day have I begotten thee? and again, I will be to him a Father, And he shall be to me a Son?” ASB.
No, “sons of GOD” ARE NOT ANGELS. Unless you are willing to say that the Bible can and does contradict itself.
Heavenly beings that we are not sure of? Yes. Angels? Absolutely not.
Peter Goeman
Hi Nathan, we certainly want to consult Heb 1:5, which is actually a combination of Psalm 2 and 2 Sam 7. That passage is a reference to the Davidic king. So the author of Hebrews is making the argument, “Have angels been given this special relationship of ruling on behalf of God?” Obvious answer is no. However, there are plenty of examples where angels are called “sons of God” in that they have a spiritual/divine status. So it is a good example of the word son being used multiple ways. Thanks for reading!
Omar
!!!!!!!please re read again !!!!!!!
he was referring to (Human) Judges
Pay attention to context.
Psalms 82
Side note titled :
False charge of blasphemy.
Because of Jesus’ references to God as his Father, certain opposing Jews leveled the charge of blasphemy against him, saying, “You, although being a man, make yourself a god.” (Joh 10:33)
Most translations here say “God”; Torrey’s translation lowercases the word as “god,” while the interlinear reading of The Emphatic Diaglott says “a god.” Support for the rendering “a god” is found principally in Jesus’ own answer, in which he quoted from Psalm 82:1-7.
As can be seen, this text did not refer to persons as being called “God,” but “gods” and “sons of the Most High.”
————————————-
According to the context, those whom Jehovah called “gods” and “sons of the Most High” in this psalm were Israelite judges who had been practicing injustice, requiring that Jehovah himself now judge ‘in the middle of such gods.’ (Ps 82:1-6, 8)
Since Jehovah applied these terms to those men, Jesus was certainly guilty of no blasphemy in saying, “I am God’s Son.” Whereas the works of those judicial “gods” belied their being “sons of the Most High,” Jesus’ works consistently proved him to be in union, in harmonious accord and relationship, with his Father.
Joh 10:34-38.
Jerry Silagyi
I remember reading The Unseen Realm when it first came out, having a number of those aha moments where it seemed like so many scriptures were converging around this theme. One of my favorite take-aways from Dr. Heiser was how God loves to enlist others in what He’s doing, making them partners, even though He takes the “supposed” risk of the partners running amuck as these did. One of the thoughts I’ve recently had in this vein is how this theme might relate to Jesus’ current position in the heavenlies. Jesus is not sitting on David’s throne ruling Israel (yet), He’s sitting on His father’s throne ruling over the these gods (over the nations vs Israel?). Yes, of course, but is there dispensational thought that could better explain the current dispensation along these lines???
Everett Commodore
Hello, thank you for this beautiful commentary on the “gods” of Psalm 82. I would like to point out just a few details that would strongly support your conclusion…
1. The fact as you mentioned, that they would “die like men” gives heavy indication that they are not men.
2. The following Psalm (83) also written by the writer of Psalm 82 (Evidently Asaph), gives us even stronger evidence that such “sons of the Most High,” were not merely Israelite judges. For instance at Psalms 83:4 we read: “They have said: “Come and let us efface (Israel) from being a nation, That the name of Israel may be remembered no more.” Why would Israelite judges want to “efface” their own race/name that they would no longer be remembered… wouldn’t this be quite strange?
Finally, the argument that people use about “sons of god” not being “angels” from Hebrews 1:5 “…to which of the angels did he ever say,” fails to hold up when you look at the OT references to “angel of the LORD,” which most believers accept is Jesus.
The simple fact is Jesus was not an “angel” (spirit messenger) when God spoke such words to Jesus. He was a man ’emptied’ of such ‘form.'(Phil. 2:7)
I hope that these observations would help to shed light on this very important topic. Blessings to you!
Peter Goeman
Thanks for reading and the good observations, Everett. At some point I’ll have to go back and try to incorporate some of this in!
Marcelo Gaye
Wasn’t Jesus Christ a man yet He was a God from heaven and died “the death of men” just as those of Psalm 82? Doesn’t Hebrews describe Christians as “Strangers and pilgrims in the earth” (Hebrews 11:13). Doesn’t that book also say that Jesus “PARTOOK” of flesh and blood exactly as His own brethren did (Hebrews 2:14)? and doesn’t that very book call attention to the fact that angels are NOT sons of God but are servants of the house? “To which one of the angels did god EVER SAY you are my son? ” Answer: to none of them (Hebrews chapters 1,2).
Now if Jesus came from heaven, is a Son of God, and He has brothers who also partook of flesh and blod as Himself, and also are “sons of God”, described as “strangers and pilgrims in the earth”. Should we not conclude that these are all of divine origin, gods on earth, just as His brother is and the one described at Psalm 82 who inherit the earth just as Jesus said in His day the meek ones would do?
Alex Krause
It is at least curious why you do not interact with Jesus’ commentary on the phrase in Jn. 10.35 where He references Ps. 82. I believe Jesus instead of you.
The divine counsel is probably the Trinity. All Christians are gods in some sense (Jn. 1.12). Godly Hebrews during O.T. times were “gods” and also angels and demons in some conception.
Jesus, and those He used to write the N.T. have made God known (Jn. 1.18). What Moses wrote was mainly shadows of the heavenly reality (The Temple, priesthood, sacrifices, arrangement and order).
Peter Goeman
I intended to cover John 10:35 in this post, but it would have ended up being a little too long, so I will cover John 10 in its own post.
In answer to your statement about the Trinity being the divine council, I think minimum the Son is, clearly. But, I think it goes behind that as well. Job 1 and 1 Kings 22 seem to indicate more than 3 being involved in heavenly discussions.
Peter Goeman
Hi Alex,
I finally published my brief thoughts on Jesus quoting Psalm 82 in John 10.
http://petergoeman.com/jesus-quoting-psalm-82-in-john-10/