1<A Psalm. Of Asaph.> God is in the meeting-place of God; he is judging among the gods. 2How long will you go on judging falsely, having respect for the persons of evil-doers? (Selah.) 3Give ear to the cause of the poor and the children without fathers; let those who are troubled and in need have their rights. 4Be the saviour of the poor and those who have nothing: take them out of the hand of the evil-doers. 5They have no knowledge or sense; they go about in the dark: all the bases of the earth are moved. 6I said, You are gods; all of you are the sons of the Most High: 7But you will come to death like men, falling like one of the rulers of the earth. 8Up! O God, come as judge of the earth; for all the nations are your heritage.
Matthew Henry's Commentary
An exhortation to judges. (1-5) The doom of evil rulers. (6-8) 1-5 Magistrates are the mighty in authority for the public good. Magistrates are the ministers of God's providence, for keeping up order and peace, and particularly in punishing evil-doers, and protecting those that do well. Good princes and good judges, who mean well, are under Divine direction; and bad ones, who mean ill, are under Divine restraint. The authority of God is to be submitted to, in those governors whom his providence places over us. But when justice is turned from what is right, no good can be expected. The evil actions of public persons are public mischiefs. 6-8 It is hard for men to have honour put upon them, and not to be proud of it. But all the rulers of the earth shall die, and all their honour shall be laid in the dust. God governs the world. There is a righteous God to whom we may go, and on whom we may depend. This also has respect to the kingdom of the Messiah. Considering the state of affairs in the world, we have need to pray that the Lord Jesus would speedily rule over all nations, in truth, righteousness, and peace.