Commentary on Psalms - Volume 3 - Bible Study Guides

Comm on Psalms (V3)John CalvinPsalm 82:5-85. They know not, neither do they understand: they walk in darkness, although all thefoundations of the earth are moved. 6. I have said, Ye are gods, and all of you sons of the MostHigh. 7. But ye shall die as a man; and ye shall fall, O princes: as one of the people. 8. Arise, OGod! Judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations.5 They know not, neither do they understand. 425 After having reminded princes of their duty,the Psalmist complains that his admonition from their infatuation is ineffectual, and that they refuseto receive wholesome instruction; yea, that although the whole world is shaken to its foundations,they, notwithstanding, continue thoughtless and secure in the neglect of their duty. He chieflyreprobates and condemns their madness as manifested in this, that although they see heaven andearth involved in confusion, they are no more affected at the sight than if the care of the interestsof mankind did not belong to them, of which they are, notwithstanding, in an especial manner thechosen and appointed conservators. I have stated a little before, that what chiefly deprives them ofunderstanding is, that, being dazzled with their own splendor, and perversely shaking off everyyoke, no religious considerations have the effect of inclining them to moderation. All soundknowledge and wisdom must commence with yielding to God the honor which is his due, andsubmitting to be restrained and governed by his word. The last clause of the verse, Although allthe foundations of the earth are moved, 426 is almost universally understood by interpreters in adifferent sense from that in which I have rendered it. They explain it as implying, that of all thecalamities in the world the greatest is when princes neglect to execute the duties of their office; forit is the observance and prevalence of justice which constitutes the foundation on which the fabricof human society rests. Thus the sense, according to them, is, that the world is undermined andoverthrown by the unjust tyranny of princes. I am far from rejecting this interpretation; but, as Ihave already hinted, I am more inclined to think, that we have here condemned the monstrousstupidity of judges, who can remain indifferent and unmoved in beholding the horrible confusionof civil society, yea even the very earth shaken to its foundations.6 I have said, ye are gods. God has invested judges with a sacred character and title. This theprophet concedes; but he, at the same time, shows that this will afford no support and protectionto wicked judges. He does not introduce them as speaking of the dignity of their office; butanticipating the style of reasoning which they would be disposed to adopt, he replies, “If you appealto your dignity as an argument to shield you, this boasting will avail you nothing; yea, rather youare deceiving yourselves by your foolish confidence; for God, in appointing you his substitutes,has not divested himself of his own sovereignty as supreme ruler. Again, he would have you toremember your own frailty as a means of stirring you up to execute with fear and trembling theoffice intrusted to you.” This verse may also be viewed as addressed by God himself to rulers, andas intimating, that, in addition to his clothing them with authority, he has bestowed upon them his425 “The Psalmist having thus far addressed himself to the administrators of justice, as if wearied with his ineffectualremonstrance, here suddenly turns away and condemns their inattention and perverseness. The change of person is a naturalindication of the earnestness of the speaker, and has a lively effect.” — Mant.426 “All the foundations of the earth, etc. Rather, of the land; that is, truth and justice, the foundation of all good government,and the only security of a state, are now altogether violated or disregarded.” — Warner.200