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Psalm 82: Rise Up, O God, Judge the Earth

Psalm 82

A psalm of Asaph.

1 God presides in the great assembly;
    he renders judgment among the “gods”:

2 “How long will you defend the unjust
    and show partiality to the wicked?
3 Defend the weak and the fatherless;
    uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.
4 Rescue the weak and the needy;
    deliver them from the hand of the wicked.

5 “The ‘gods’ know nothing, they understand nothing.
    They walk about in darkness;
    all the foundations of the earth are shaken.

6 “I said, ‘You are “gods”;
    you are all sons of the Most High.’
7 But you will die like mere mortals;
    you will fall like every other ruler.”

8 Rise up, O God, judge the earth,
    for all the nations are your inheritance.

God’s Judgment on this Nation

Psalm 9:15-17
15 The nations have fallen into the pit they have dug;
    their feet are caught in the net they have hidden.
16 The Lord is known by his acts of justice;
    the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands.
17 The wicked go down to the realm of the dead,
    all the nations that forget God.
  1. Lawlessness: Deuteronomy 19:15-21; Judges 21:25; Proverbs 17:15
  2. Greed: Deuteronomy 16:18-22; 27:25; Amos 5:7-13; Micah 3:11
  3. Idolatry: Exodus 23:33; Leviticus 20:23; Deuteronomy 7:6; Psalm 9:17
  4. Cowardice: Exodus 23:2; Psalm 101:3-8; Proverbs 25:26;
  5. Covetousness: Exodus 20:17; Jeremiah 6:13; Mark 7:22; Luke 12:15
  6. Strife: Proverbs 6:19; 17:19-20; Galatians 5:19-21
  7. Shedding of innocent blood: Deuteronomy 19:8-13; Psalm 94:21; Proverbs 6:17; Isaiah 59:7-8; Jeremiah 22:3; Ezekiel 35:6
  8. Degradation of sex: Leviticus 18:22; Romans 1:24-27
  9. Destruction of family: Malachi 2:10-16; Matthew 5:32; 19:6-9
  10. Dead Christianity: Ezekiel 34:1-6; Isaiah 1:10-17; Malachi 1:6-14

How to Live in the Midst of Judgment

Psalm 37:10-11
10 A little while, and the wicked will be no more;
    though you look for them, they will not be found.
11 But the meek will inherit the land
    and enjoy peace and prosperity.
  1. Live holy, pure: Exodus 19:5-6; Leviticus 21:8; 1 Peter 1:16
  2. Honor marriage: Hebrews 13:4
  3. Raise godly offspring: Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Psalm 127:4; Proverbs 22:6; Malachi 2:15; Ephesians 6:4
  4. Work with your hands: Ecclesiastes 9:10; 1 Thessalonians 4:11; 2 Thessalonians 3:10; 1 Timothy 5:8
  5. Preach the Gospel: Mark 16:15; Romans 1:16
  6. Make Disciples: Matthew 28:18-20
  7. Build the local church: 1 Timothy 3:14-15