Many scholars have approached Psalm 82 with trepidation. Their interpretations have often been unsatisfactory, primarily asserting that the "gods" (elohim) mentioned in the verse refer merely to human judges, Jewish Elders, or even the Trinity. However, such conclusions are untenable. Psalm 82 unequivocally describes the gods as being condemned for their corruption in governing the nations. The biblical corpus does not suggest that God established a council of Jewish elders to preside over foreign nations, nor would it imply divine rebuke towards the Trinity. These interpretations fail to faithfully engage with the plain meaning of the text in Psalm 82.
Many scholars have meticulously produced numerous articles and books exploring Psalm 82 and the Israelite religion. They have exhaustively examined parallels between the psalm’s themes and the literature of other civilizations from the biblical world, sometimes finding striking word-for-word matches. Their research has illuminated other biblical passages that resonate with the themes of Psalm 82. It is now apparent that much of what has been traditionally taught about the unseen world in Bible colleges and seminaries has been filtered through English translations or drawn from sources such as Milton's Paradise Lost.
Dr. Michael Heiser states, "Clarity eventually prevailed. Psalm 82 became a focal point of my doctoral dissertation, which also examined the nature of Israelite monotheism and how the biblical writers really thought about the unseen spiritual realm. I wish I could say that I was just smart enough to figure things out on my own. But in reality, even though I believe I was providentially prepared for the academic task I faced, there were times in the process when the best description I can offer is that I was led to answers."
Understanding the Bible through the lens of an ancient reader necessitates discarding the filters of our modern traditions and assumptions. The ancients perceived life in supernatural terms, whereas contemporary Christians often interpret it through a combination of creedal affirmations and modern rationalism. The purpose of this work is to assist in recovering the supernatural worldview of the biblical writers—the very individuals who authored the Scriptures.
Filters are employed to exclude elements to achieve a desired outcome. In culinary contexts, unwanted substances are dredged, strained, and discarded. In automobiles, filters prevent particles from impeding performance. In email management, they eliminate unwanted correspondences. What remains is what we use, contributing to our meals, our engines, or our mental clarity. Much of our Biblical education operates similarly. There is no malicious intent—it simply reflects the nature of the process. The content taught is filtered through specific presumptions and traditions. Passages that do not align with these traditions are often labeled as "problem passages" and either filtered out or relegated to the margins of irrelevance.
It is acknowledged that many well-intentioned Bible students, pastors, and professors do not consciously recognize this approach to interpreting the Scriptures. Nonetheless, it is a prevalent phenomenon. Individuals tend to view the Bible through the lens of their own knowledge and familiarity. Psalm 82, when examined within its ancient context, has the potential to challenge these interpretive filters. At the very least, it will make one aware of the existence of such filters. Traditions, no matter how venerable, are not inherent to the Bible. They are frameworks constructed to systematize the biblical text. They are, in essence, artificial constructs—filters.
Engage in a prayerful study of Psalm 82, seeking divine assistance to remove the interpretive filters we have unconsciously adopted. Just as scales fall from our eyes, may these filters be lifted, enabling us to perceive the truth more clearly.
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