Psalm 82:3-4

Psalm 82:3-4

Defend, Uphold. Rescue. Deliver.

Before we explore this verse further, we need to remind ourselves that this is God speaking to men, not the other way around. This is God giving instructions to the “gods”, the rulers and leaders and judges and all who are in positions of power over their fellow men and women. This is what the Sovereign Lord says to such people, “Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” 

I can think of no political leaders or parties that have come to power on the basis of such policies in my lifetime. The mantra of the rulers tends to be, “Defend the strong and those who are self-sufficient; uphold the cause of the rich and the free. Rescue the wealthy; deliver them from the hand of the lower classes.” What a turnaround in society there would be if our politicians and leaders had a genuine heart for the impoverished and the downtrodden. It will never happen, because most leaders are ambitious and self-interested; modern democracies demand that their leaders are wealthy and that they protect their own. So, that leaves us the church, to hear and obey the word of the Lord. Do we need to look hard at ourselves and ask if we are meeting the heavenly remit set out for us here? Are we defending the weak? Are we looking after the orphans? Do we uphold the causes of the poor and the oppressed? Do we have projects that rescue the weak and the needy? Are we challenged to deliver those who are at the mercy of the wicked?  

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