A Judge of Humble Nobility

Psalm 82

God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods. How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course. I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High. But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes. Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations. (v. 1,2,5-8)

The psalmist in this passage shares the importance of proper and right justice in the stability of our world. We are told that true justice is expected from those who have the honored role to judge according to right and unbiased principles. The psalmist tells us that God possesses all nations and expects those who govern our nation are to honor their noble role just as He would determine.

This noble state of seeking right judgment would be consistent with the children of God, who are considered as “gods” (as God’s child). Being a “child of God” alone brings nobility to all people. The role of governing a nation through “God-like justice“ is essential for the stability of any nation. In such ways, we have the privilege to encourage justice in others. Those who are appointed to judge a nation are then extended the role “as if” from God to perform their diligent duty. Such judges are honored by those who achieve justice in truth for the security, stability and peace provided equally toward all people.

When a nation is not established with justice, then truth is no longer followed. The foundation on which the nation operates can be pushed off-course and chaos results. A nation without justice is no longer united and peace can not be possible. In the final verse, there is a call to God to bring justice back to the nation where those who were to honor their noble role only abused their office and judged people according to their own desires and privilege. Such leaders would lose any respect, as be remembered without honor after true justice comes. After all, the nation was not possessed by those who judge. They were only to be stewards of the justice that God intended.

Humility under God’s rule is the true role of any judge and it is the only path toward peace in our world. Despite the the present injustice and growing crimes we may experience from corrupted leaders, we know that God’s justice will be come and his righteousness will always prevail to unite us as a great nation.