@Ps 82:1-8. Before the great Judge, the judges of the earth are rebuked, exhorted, and threatened.
1. congregation--(Compare @Ex 12:3 16:1).
of the mighty--that is, of God, of His appointment.
the gods--or, "judges" (@Ex 21:6 22:9),
God's representatives.
2. accept the persons--literally, "lift up the faces," that is, from dejection, or admit to favor and communion, regardless of merit (@Le 19:15 Pr 18:5).
3, 4. So must good judges act (@Ps 10:14 Job 29:12).
4. poor and needy--(Compare @Ps 34:10 41:1).
5. By the wilful ignorance and negligence of judges, anarchy ensues
(@Ps 11:3 75:3).
out of course--(Compare Margin; @Ps 9:6 62:2).
6, 7. Though God admitted their official dignity (@Joh 10:34), He reminds them of their mortality.
7. fall like, &c.--be cut off suddenly (@Ps 20:8 91:7).
8. As rightful sovereign of earth, God is invoked personally to correct the evils of His representatives.