Psalms 82:6

He is there for judgment among the "gods." The Lord defines that term for us from this very psalm (v. 6) as "those to whom the word of God came" (John 10:35) — that is, the judges of Israel, commissioned to represent Him. In this way they were identified with the One they represented. They carried the most solemn responsibility: to represent Him in His character too, both in His righteousness and in His love to men.

Scripture sometimes gives the judges of Israel the name of God (see Ex. 22:8-9, 28). This points more closely and strongly to the source of their authority as the guides and directors of His people. The word of God came to them (John 10:35). They sat to administer justice in the name of Jehovah and according to His declared mind. The award they pronounced was not their own but His.

Any honour God confers on men lifts them out of obscurity, and once it is taken away it sinks them back into their own proper nothingness.

God had called these judges "gods," for they had been set to represent Him. In their outward position they were greatly blessed as "sons of the Most High." But they would "die like men," reduced to the level of sinful men. They would fall as princes who dishonour their own position as well as dishonouring God.

God is not indifferent to this unrighteousness. Those who pervert judgment will themselves come under judgment. The high position that God had given them, as His representatives, will not protect them from His just judgment. They will fall like any earthly prince who rules without fear of God.

The word of God had only come to those others: "I said, 'You are gods.'" They had no dignity at all in themselves; they belonged to the earth, and God lifted them into official dignity. But He was the SON. He had been "sanctified and sent into the world." He was "the Lord from heaven." So Jesus the Son of God is infinitely different from all those of whom God has said, "You are gods." The moment their conferred dignity was taken away, they would die like the common run of men. They had no essential, inherent power or dignity.

"Scripture cannot be broken" (John 10:35). Our Lord is quoting what some might be tempted to call an obscure passage from the Psalms (Ps. 82:6). Now our Lord says this Scripture cannot be broken — cannot be set aside. Men might say it is an obvious explanation of no great importance. Yet our Lord declares it cannot be ignored. It is part of a perfect whole.

The word "gods" stands for those in high positions — the mighty, who have authority and power. The reference in the first place is to the judges in Israel, as the Lord's citation of this Psalm shows (John 10:34-35). But the powers that be in all nations are also included, for "there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God" (Rom. 13:1). They are His representatives in government, however little they realise it. Scripture calls them His ministers. He will hold them responsible for the way they use the power He entrusted to them.