God’s Institution of Government and Mankind’s Free Will in Governance A Biblical Perspective with Hebrew and Greek Insights Part 3

The Purpose of Government According to Psalm 82 

A Biblical and Rabbinical Perspective

Psalm 82 provides one of the clearest biblical declarations of God’s expectations for rulers and His judgment upon those who govern unjustly. This passage establishes the moral and ethical foundation for righteous leadership, emphasizing that government must uphold justice, defend the weak, and rescue the oppressed.

Jewish rabbinical tradition and New Testament teachings further confirm that rulers are accountable to divine authority, and when they govern unjustly, they will face divine judgment. The designation of rulers as “gods” (אֱלֹהִים – Elohim) in this passage has been interpreted in multiple ways, shedding light on the spiritual and moral dimensions of governance.

Psalm 82:2-4 – The Duties of Rulers

Psalm 82 directly addresses rulers, highlighting their responsibility to administer justice and condemning corruption and oppression.

Verse 2: “How long will ye judge (שָׁפַט – Shaphat) unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.”

Verse 3: “Defend (שָׁפַט – Shaphat) the poor and fatherless: do justice (צֶדֶק – Tsedeq) to the afflicted and needy.”

Verse 4: “Deliver (פָּלַט – Palat) the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.”

This passage establishes three key governmental responsibilities:

Fair Judgment – Rulers must not favor the wicked or be corrupt.

Protection of the Vulnerable – Defending orphans, the poor, and the afflicted.

Deliverance from Oppression – Rescuing the weak from the hands of evildoers.

Key Hebrew Words and Their Significance  

The Hebrew word שָׁפַט (Shaphat) – “To Judge, Govern, Vindicate Justice”

This verb signifies the role of rulers as judges, enforcing justice according to divine law.

The repetition of Shaphat in verses 2 and 3 indicates that leaders are accountable to God for their judicial decisions.

Talmudic Insight (Sanhedrin 7b) – “A judge who judges honestly causes the Divine Presence to dwell in Israel, but a corrupt judge removes God’s presence from among them.”

Maimonides (Mishneh Torah, Laws of Kings 10:11) – Leaders must judge without bias, ensuring that wealth and power do not influence justice.

The Hebrew word צֶדֶק (Tsedeq) means – “Righteousness, Justice, Fairness”

Tsedeq is the foundation of godly leadership—it means not only legal justice but also moral integrity.

Deuteronomy 16:20 – “That which is altogether just (צֶדֶק) shalt thou follow, that thou mayest live.”

Rabbinical Commentary (Midrash Tehillim on Psalm 82) – “Justice is the throne of the Almighty; rulers who pervert it usurp His place and bring destruction upon themselves.”

New Testament Connection – Jesus rebuked the Pharisees and rulers for failing to administer justice (Tsedeq) (Matthew 23:23). 

The Hebrew word פָּלַט (Palat) means – “To Deliver, Rescue”

Palat is a call to action—rulers must actively rescue the oppressed from unjust systems.

Talmud (Bava Batra 8a) – “A ruler who fails to protect the poor is not fit to rule.”

Proverbs 24:11 – “Deliver (Palat) them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain.”

Luke 4:18 – Jesus, in quoting Isaiah, declares His mission to “deliver (Palat) the oppressed.”

Other Scriptures Reinforcing Just Governance

The responsibility of rulers, as outlined in Psalm 82, is reinforced throughout both the Old and New Testaments.

Proverbs 31:8-9 – “Open thy mouth for the dumb, in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.”

Talmudic Interpretation (Avot 2:5) – “Where there is no justice, there is no peace.”

Leaders must be a voice for the voiceless.

Jeremiah 22:3 – “Execute ye judgment and righteousness, and deliver the spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor.”

This mirrors Psalm 82:4, demonstrating God’s consistent expectation for rulers.

Romans 13:3-4 – “For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good.”

Paul reaffirms the biblical principle that government should reward righteousness and punish evil.

Psalm 82 and the “Sons of God” (אֱלֹהִים – Elohim)

A key aspect of Psalm 82 is the designation of rulers as “gods” (Elohim):

Psalm 82:6-7 – “I have said, Ye are gods (אֱלֹהִים – Elohim); and all of you are children of the most High. But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.”

This controversial passage has been interpreted in multiple ways, all pointing to the divine responsibility of rulers:

Angelic Beings Overseeing Nations (Daniel 10:13-20)

•In Jewish tradition, Elohim sometimes refers to heavenly beings assigned to govern nations.

•Daniel 10:13 speaks of the “Prince of Persia” as a spiritual being influencing a kingdom, showing spiritual forces behind political structures.

•Rabbinical Teaching (Targum Yonatan on Deuteronomy 32:8) – Nations have angelic overseers, but Israel is governed directly by God.

Spiritual Beings Corrupting Governments (Psalm 82:6-7)(1 Enoch 6-8)

•Some scholars interpret Elohim in Psalm 82 as fallen spiritual beings influencing unjust rulers.

•Ephesians 6:12 – “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world.”

•This interpretation aligns with the Jewish idea of fallen angels influencing corrupt kings.

Conclusion on “Elohim”

Regardless of interpretation, Psalm 82 warns that unjust rulers will be judged by God. Whether angelic, human, or spiritual, all authorities are accountable to the Almighty.

The Divine Responsibility of Government

Psalm 82 establishes that God’s standard for government is justice, righteousness, and deliverance of the oppressed. Rulers who fail in these duties will face divine judgment.

Key Takeaways from Scripture and Rabbinical Thought

Government must administer justice (שָׁפַט – Shaphat).

Righteousness (צֶדֶק – Tsedeq) is the foundation of leadership.

Rulers are called to rescue (פָּלַט – Palat) the oppressed.

God holds all rulers accountable, whether human or spiritual (אֱלֹהִים – Elohim).