Psalms 82:5-7
They have neither knowledge nor understanding, they walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken. I said, “You are gods, sons of the Most High, all of you; nevertheless, like men you shall die, and fall like any prince.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse highlights a profound wilful ignorance; it's not just that these leaders don't know their duty, but they won't understand, actively choosing to walk in darkness rather than seek the light of truth. This deliberate blindness isn't just personal failing; it's so severe that it destabilizes the very "foundations of the earth," revealing how essential moral and just leadership is to the whole fabric of society.
This psalm addresses corrupt judges who are appointed to uphold justice but instead pervert it. The psalmist laments their willful ignorance and blindness to their divine calling, emphasizing that their actions are not just personal failings but also have a devastating impact on society. Their corruption causes the very foundations of order and morality in the world to be shaken and unstable, leading to chaos.
The verse paints a stark picture of leaders who are not just uninformed, but actively choose darkness over light. What does it mean to willfully not understand?
Psalms 82:5 points to a profound spiritual and moral blindness in the judges God appointed. It's not an accidental lack of knowledge, but a deliberate turning away from truth.
Choosing Not to Know
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When the pillars of justice crumble, what happens to the world we live in? This verse reveals the terrifying consequence of corrupted leadership.
The final phrase, 'all the foundations of the earth are shaken,' is a powerful metaphor for the devastating impact of injustice.
The Domino Effect of Unrighteousness
Understand the original words
choshek · Hebrew Noun
Often used metaphorically for a lack of spiritual insight or moral discernment. It represents the state of living without knowledge of God's truth, leading to confusion and spiritual death.
mosad · Hebrew Noun
Refers to the fundamental principles, laws, or moral order established by God for the stability of human society and the world. When these are shaken, it indicates societal collapse and chaos resulting from systemic injustice.
elohim · Hebrew Noun
A term often used in Scripture to refer to supernatural beings, angelic beings, or those who act as representatives of God's authority in human governance, though here specifically challenging the human judges who acted as if they were divine.
ben 'elyon · Hebrew Noun Phrase
A designation indicating a close relationship, delegation of authority, or spiritual status as children of the Almighty; in this context, it highlights the high responsibility and delegated authority given to these human judges.
elyon · Hebrew Adjective/Noun
A title for God emphasizing His supremacy, sovereignty, and transcendence over all creation and all other powers.
adam · Hebrew Noun
Referring to ordinary human beings in their fragility and mortality, used here to contrast the judges' assumed divinity with their inevitable death.
muth · Hebrew Verb
To cease living; the universal consequence of sin for all humanity, signifying the end of earthly existence and the transition to divine judgment.
naphal · Hebrew Verb
To lose one's position or moral standing; often used in Scripture to denote ruin, failure, or the humbling of those in power.
sar · Hebrew Noun
A leader or ruler of a people; one who exercises authority, whose status does not exempt them from divine accountability or death.
This psalm likely addresses a period of deep corruption within the judicial system of Judah, possibly during the tumultuous times leading up to or following the Babylonian exile, when injustice was rampant and the very fabric of society was threatened.
c. 1000 BC
Kingdom established under David and Solomon
Following the unification of Israel, David and Solomon establish a centralized monarchy with a judicial system and the Temple in Jerusalem, setting a standard for justice and order.
c. 931 BC
Divided Monarchy
The united kingdom splits into the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah, leading to increased political instability and religious compromise in both.
c. 750 BC
Rise of Assyrian Empire
Assyria begins its expansion, posing a significant military and political threat to the smaller kingdoms of Israel and Judah, impacting their leadership and policies.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the Northern Kingdom of Israel, exiling its population and scattering them, serving as a stark warning to Judah.
c. 620 BC
Josiah's Reforms
King Josiah of Judah initiates a religious and judicial reform after the discovery of the Book of the Law, attempting to restore true worship and justice.
c. 609 BC
Josiah's Death and Babylonian Rise
Josiah is killed in battle, and his death is followed by a period of weak rulers and increasing Babylonian influence, leading to further instability.
c. 605 BC— this verse
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon conquers Judah and begins deporting the elite and skilled workers to Babylon, a precursor to the kingdom's eventual destruction.
This verse speaks to a similar perversion of justice, where good is called evil and evil is called good, directly mirroring the moral confusion described when the foundations of society are shaken.
John 3:19The idea of 'walking in darkness' in Psalm 82:5 is powerfully echoed here, showing that people choose darkness over light when their deeds are evil, which aligns with the wilful ignorance of the corrupt judges.
Romans 1:21-23This passage describes a spiritual darkness that results from a refusal to honor God, leading to foolishness and corrupted thinking, much like the incomprehensible ignorance and perversion seen in Psalm 82:5.
Jeremiah 5:25-29Here, judgment is perverted, and the wicked prosper because of their injustice, illustrating the societal breakdown and shaken foundations that result from corrupt leadership as depicted in the psalm.
Matthew 23:23Jesus denounces the religious leaders for neglecting the weightier matters of the law – justice, mercy, and faithfulness – while focusing on tithing, highlighting the perversion of core principles that destabilizes society, akin to the 'foundations of the earth being shaken'.
pulpitPsalms 82:5: "They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course."
Verse 5. - They know not, neither will they understand. Scarcely "an aside from the indignant judge," as Professor Cheyne suggests, much less a remark interpolated by the poet (Ewald, Hitzig). Rather a complaint of human perversity, addressed by Jehovah to the angelic host who are present (ver. 1). It is not an accidental and excusable ignorance, but a wilful…
clarkePsalms 82:5: "They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course."
They know not - The judges are not acquainted with the law of God, on which all their decisions should be founded. Neither will they understand - They are ignorant and do not wish to be instructed. They will not learn; they cannot teach. Happy England! How different from Judea, even in the days of Jehoshaphat! All thy judges are learned, righteous, and impart…
The verse highlights a profound wilful ignorance; it's not just that these leaders don't know their duty, but they won't understand, actively choosing to walk in darkness rather than seek the light of truth. This deliberate blindness isn't just personal failing; it's so severe that it destabilizes the very "foundations of the earth," revealing how essential moral and just leadership is to the whole fabric of society.
This psalm addresses corrupt judges who are appointed to uphold justice but instead pervert it. The psalmist laments their willful ignorance and blindness to their divine calling, emphasizing that their actions are not just personal failings but also have a devastating impact on society. Their corruption causes the very foundations of order and morality in the world to be shaken and unstable, leading to chaos.
This psalm addresses corrupt judges who are appointed to uphold justice but instead pervert it. The psalmist laments their willful ignorance and blindness to their divine calling, emphasizing that their actions are not just personal failings but also have a devastating impact on society. Their corruption causes the very foundations of order and morality in the world to be shaken and unstable, leading to chaos.
"They have neither knowledge nor understanding, they walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken. I said, “You are gods, sons of the Most High, all of you; nevertheless, like men you shall die…" — The verse highlights a profound wilful ignorance; it's not just that these leaders don't know their duty, but they won't understand, actively choosing to walk in darkness rather than seek the l…
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