Psalms82:1

Translation

A Psalm of ASAPH.

ELOHIM stands in the assembly of EL,

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He judges in the midst of the ELOHIM.

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(See comment below.)

Paraphrase

A psalm of THE GATHERER

THE CREATOR AND RULER OF ALL THINGS is more powerful than foreign gods like the Canaanite god EL; He has the authority to call to account all human authority figures who think they are POWERFUL.

Footnotes

1: "assembly of EL"

This is the only time that the phrase “assembly of El” is used in the Bible. El is singular, and thus, probably meant to be specific. It seems to be referring to the Canaanite god El, who was their highest god, although not their most popular god. There was also a Babylonian god named El, but few Hebrews had contact with the followers of that Babylonian god, so I think it is most likely a reference to the Canaanite god. The purpose here seems to be to use this high god of the Canaanites as a demonstration of the true God’s sovereignty over any and all entities who were thought to have special power.

2: "the ELOHIM"

The word ELOHIM is plural and has several possible meanings. It was used of human judges and other leaders who exercise authority, of angels, of foreign gods, and most often of the God of creation worshipped by the Hebrew people. Context must indicate which one was being referred to. It is usually safe to assume it was being used of the God of creation as described in the Bible unless context indicates such an interpretation is untenable. In this verse, the first ELOHIM refers to the God of the Hebrews, the second time it does not.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS PSALM?

This is a psalm about the sovereignty of the God of creation, the God of the children of Israel. It establishes God’s sovereignty by comparing His power to rule and the kindness with which He rules, with that of other entities of power.

I choose to interpret this psalm as a comparison between the God who usually goes by the name ELOHIM and all other entities of power, be they humans or false gods. Most of the statements that follow seem to be directed at human leaders, especially judges, but some of them can also be seen as attacks on the belief in false gods. Why must we choose only one? Why can’t this psalm be a refutation of both human judges and false gods?