“Vindicate the weak and fatherless; Do justice and maintain the rights of the afflicted and destitute.4Rescue the weak and needy; Rescue them from the hand of the wicked.5The rulers do not know nor do they understand; They walk on in the darkness [of complacent satisfaction]; All the foundations of the earth [the fundamental principles of the administration of justice] are shaken.” Psalm 82:3-5 AMP

Psalm 82 was penned with the purpose of reminding the kings and judges of their responsibilities in front of the ultimate judge, God. The charge against them was that they judged unjustly and that they will be responsible one day before the judge os judges! The charge against them, siding with the ways of the wicked.

“How long will you judge unjustly And show partiality to the wicked?” Selah Psalm 82:2 AMP

The word “Selah” there is a Hebrew construct meaning to stop and pay very careful attention to the words proceeding it. Our verse begins with a very clear and straight command, “vindicate the weak and fatherless.” The word vindicate here is the Hebrew legal term for the process of adjudication. It refers to the power of the judge to investigate, reason, and then pass a binding sentence upon the parties to punish or reward. This is why in verse 6 we see the statement,

“I said, “You are gods; Indeed, all of you are sons of the Most High.” Psalm 82:6 AMP

The verse isn’t saying that we are now equal with God but rather a judge or leader holds the powers of life and death, reward or punishment. In perverting their decisions, they are bringing distain upon the name of God as we are His representatives here on earth. The call for those sitting in places of leadership and power should be wary of the motivation for their decisions! The word translates “do justice” is the Hebrew word meaning to “be in accordance with a standard or expectation.” It is expected that those in power will always be true to the truth no matter the cost. The system however has now become rife with corruption and rulings of wickless against the standards of God. 

Spiritual and moral blindness in leadership destabilizing everything, cracking the very pillars that hold society together. I used to wonder how a whole civilization could come crumbling to the ground over corruption and immorality, but we are watching it before our very eyes. 

God spells out what true justice looks like: “Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; uphold the rights of the afflicted and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” Mercy for the most vulnerable is non-negotiable. The issue at hand currently is that the world considers those walking in sin as “the most vulnerable!” and those walking in righteousness as the most dangerous. Jesus Himself suffered under the same spirit of corruption of leadership.

“The one who hates Me also hates My Father. 24If I had not done among them the works (attesting miracles) which no one else [ever] did, they would not have [the guilt of their] sin; but now [the fact is that] they have both seen [these works] and have hated Me [and continue to hate Me] and My Father as well. 25But [this is so] that the word which has been written in their Law would be fulfilled, ‘THEY HATED ME WITHOUT A CAUSE.’” John 15:24-25 AMP

Verse 5 goes on to remind us that those walking in corruption and injustice will continue to do so because they are walking in darkness. So how are we supposed to respond? First, be involved in the selection of leaders. We have a right to help change them through the system we have been blessed with, the ballot. Second pray for those in authority over you. We can move the armies of heaven to intervene in every situation we face. And of course, trust the Lord and His plan for our lives. What we cannot do is become hardened by the battle. Jesus told us that it wasn’t going to be easy but remember…He won! Have a blessed day. Pastor Ken