Psalm 82:3 - God Presides in the Divine Assembly

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Context

God Presides in the Divine Assembly
…2“How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Selah 3Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; uphold the rights of the afflicted and oppressed. 4Rescue the weak and needy; save them from the hand of the wicked.…

Cross References

Isaiah 1:17
Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.”Proverbs 31:8-9
Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed. / Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy.Jeremiah 22:3
This is what the LORD says: Administer justice and righteousness. Rescue the victim of robbery from the hand of his oppressor. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow. Do not shed innocent blood in this place.Zechariah 7:9-10
“This is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Administer true justice. Show loving devotion and compassion to one another. / Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. And do not plot evil in your hearts against one another.’Micah 6:8
He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?James 1:27
Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.Matthew 25:35-40
For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in, / I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you visited Me.’ / Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? ...Luke 4:18-19
“The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed, / to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”Isaiah 58:6-7
Isn’t this the fast that I have chosen: to break the chains of wickedness, to untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and tear off every yoke? / Isn’t it to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your home, to clothe the naked when you see him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?Deuteronomy 10:18
He executes justice for the fatherless and widow, and He loves the foreigner, giving him food and clothing.Job 29:12-17
because I rescued the poor who cried out and the fatherless who had no helper. / The dying man blessed me, and I made the widow’s heart sing for joy. / I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; justice was my robe and my turban. ...Exodus 23:6
You shall not deny justice to the poor in their lawsuits.Proverbs 22:22-23
Do not rob a poor man because he is poor, and do not crush the afflicted at the gate, / for the LORD will take up their case and will plunder those who rob them.Isaiah 11:4
but with righteousness He will judge the poor, and with equity He will decide for the lowly of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth and slay the wicked with the breath of His lips.Jeremiah 5:28
They have grown fat and sleek, and have excelled in the deeds of the wicked. They have not taken up the cause of the fatherless, that they might prosper; nor have they defended the rights of the needy.

Psalm 10:18
To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress.

Deuteronomy 10:18
He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment.

Isaiah 1:17,23
Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow…

do

Jeremiah 5:28
They are waxen fat, they shine: yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge.

Jeremiah 22:3,16
Thus saith the LORD; Execute ye judgment and righteousness, and deliver the spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor: and do no wrong, do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, nor the widow, neither shed innocent blood in this place…

James 1:27
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

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Psalm 82

Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless;
This phrase emphasizes the biblical mandate to protect and advocate for those who are vulnerable and marginalized in society. In ancient Israel, the "weak and fatherless" often referred to those without a male protector or provider, such as orphans and widows, who were particularly susceptible to exploitation and injustice. The call to defend them reflects God's character as a defender of the helpless, as seen in passages like Deuteronomy 10:18, which states that God "defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow." This aligns with the broader biblical theme of justice and righteousness, where God's people are called to mirror His concern for the vulnerable. The prophetic literature, such as Isaiah 1:17, echoes this call to "seek justice, encourage the oppressed," highlighting the continuity of this divine expectation throughout Scripture.

uphold the rights of the afflicted and oppressed.
The instruction to uphold the rights of the afflicted and oppressed underscores the importance of justice and equity in the community. In the historical context of ancient Israel, the legal system was designed to protect the rights of all individuals, particularly those who were disadvantaged. The afflicted and oppressed often included the poor, foreigners, and those suffering under unjust systems or rulers. This phrase calls for active intervention to ensure that justice is served, reflecting God's own commitment to justice as seen in Psalm 146:7, where He "executes justice for the oppressed." The New Testament continues this theme, with Jesus embodying the ultimate advocate for the oppressed, as seen in His ministry to the marginalized and His teachings on the Kingdom of God, which prioritize justice and mercy (Matthew 5:6, Luke 4:18-19). This call to action is a reminder of the believer's responsibility to reflect God's justice in their own lives and communities.

Persons / Places / Events

1. God
The ultimate judge who presides over the divine council, calling for justice and righteousness.

2. The Weak and Fatherless
Represents those who are vulnerable and lack protection or support in society.

3. The Afflicted and Oppressed
Individuals who suffer from injustice and exploitation, needing advocacy and defense.

4. Divine Council
A heavenly assembly where God addresses other "gods" or rulers, emphasizing their responsibility to enact justice.

5. Asaph
The attributed author of the Psalm, a leader of one of the temple choirs, who conveys God's message of justice.

Teaching Points

God's Heart for Justice
God is deeply concerned with justice and righteousness, especially for those who are marginalized and vulnerable.

Our Responsibility
As followers of Christ, we are called to actively defend and support those who cannot defend themselves, reflecting God's character.

Practical Advocacy
Engage in practical ways to support the weak and oppressed, such as volunteering, supporting charities, or advocating for policy changes.

Spiritual Reflection
Reflect on personal biases or indifference towards the plight of the vulnerable and seek God's guidance to cultivate a heart of compassion.

Community Involvement
Encourage your church or community group to develop programs or partnerships that focus on helping the fatherless and oppressed.

(3) Poor.--Rather, miserable. (See Psalm 41:1.) This verse recalls the solemn curse in Deuteronomy 27:19.

Verse 3. - Defend the poor and fatherless; literally, judge them. "Do not deny them justice; do not refuse to hear their cause" (comp. Isaiah 1:23; Jeremiah 5:28). Do justice to the afflicted and needy. After consenting to hear their cause, be sure thou doest them justice. These commands are covert reproaches. Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Defend the cause
שִׁפְטוּ־ (šip̄·ṭū-)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 8199: To judge, pronounce sentence, to vindicate, punish, to govern, to litigate

of the weak
דַ֥ל (ḏal)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 1800: Dangling, weak, thin

and fatherless;
וְיָת֑וֹם (wə·yā·ṯō·wm)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3490: A bereaved person

uphold the rights
הַצְדִּֽיקוּ׃ (haṣ·dî·qū)
Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 6663: To be just or righteous

of the afflicted
עָנִ֖י (‘ā·nî)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 6041: Poor, afflicted, humble

and oppressed.
וָרָ֣שׁ (wā·rāš)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7326: To be in want or poor

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Psalm 82:3 Catholic BibleOT Poetry: Psalm 82:3 Defend the weak the poor and (Psalm Ps Psa.)