Table of Contents
Part of the Old Testament
A psalm is like a message to God. The Psalms are 150 songs collected in five books.
| Book | Summary | Interpretations |
|---|---|---|
| Psalms 1-41 (Book I) | Mostly psalms of David; the two ways, the anointed king, laments and trust. Psalm 23 the shepherd; Psalm 29 heavenly beings give glory. | |
| Psalms 42-72 (Book II) | Psalms of the sons of Korah and David; longing for God, Psalm 51 repentance, Psalm 72 for the king. | |
| Psalms 73-89 (Book III) | Psalms of Asaph and Korah; the temple destroyed, Psalm 82 God judges among the gods, Psalm 89 the assembly of the holy ones. | God among the gods |
| Psalms 90-106 (Book IV) | Psalm 90 of Moses; the LORD reigns; Psalm 96 all gods of the nations; Psalm 106 sacrifices to the idols of Canaan. | |
| Psalms 107-150 (Book V) | Songs of ascents, Psalm 119 the law, Psalm 137 by the rivers of Babylon, ending in praise. |
Through the lens of many gods
God among the gods (Psalm 82)
אֱלֹהִיםʼĕlôhîym · Strong’s H 430Plural of eloah: gods, or the supreme God; the plural form is used even when one being is meant.Read more standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the אֱלֹהִיםʼĕlôhîym · Strong’s H 430Plural of eloah: gods, or the supreme God; the plural form is used even when one being is meant.Read more.
Psalm 82:1 (KJV)
I have said, Ye are אֱלֹהִיםʼĕlôhîym · Strong’s H 430Plural of eloah: gods, or the supreme God; the plural form is used even when one being is meant.Read more; and all of you are children of the most High. But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.
Psalm 82:6-7 (KJV)
A common explanation is that “gods” here means human judges.
The Hebrew has Elohim twice in verse 1. One Elohim stands in the council of El and judges the other Elohim. They will “die like men”. Michael Heiser argued that these are heavenly beings, the same sons of God who were given the nations in Deuteronomy 32:8.
I read it as a trial in the council. The rulers of the nations failed, and they lose their immortality.
See also The Gods in the Bible, Elohim, The 12 Elohim.
