| Scripture |
Expanded Comments |
| A Psalm of Asaph. |
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| 1 God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods. |
God – Elohim, Christ appointed by the Father to judge the world now. E69
Of the mighty – The saints. R1410:3, R296:3, R338:2, R421:3
The financial, political and ecclesiastical princes. D53; E69
Among the gods – These same Elohim, mighty ones, saying. D53; E69
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| 2 How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah. |
How long will ye – Ye earthly princes. D53; E69 PSALMS 82:5
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| 3 Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. |
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| 4 Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked. |
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| 5 They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course. |
They know not – Earth's mighty ones need not his reproofs. E69
Walk on in darkness – Respecting the outcome of their policy. E69
Until, as a consequence. D55
All the foundations – The established principles of law and order. D55
Of the earth – The present social structure. D55, D542; E69
Are out of course – Moved, terribly shaken. D55
And must be removed, is his decision. E69
All the basic principles of the present social structure are distorted, out of proper relationship to each other, in confusion. HG551:4
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| 6 I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.
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I have said – Distinctly termed by Jesus as part of the "Scripture" which "cannot be broken." (John 10:34, 35) HG310:6
He now addresses his faithful Little Flock. E69
Ye are gods – Elohim, mighty ones, applied to the saints. C239; E68
Quoted by Jesus in John 10:35. C239
You are children – "Beloved, now are we the sons of God." (1 John 3:2) E69
The present work is that of selecting this class. R5007:1
Not only was Jesus the Son of God, but he said he would bring many sons to God. R5623:3
Of the most High – Claiming Jehovah as our Father is claiming that we are divine beings, hence all such are gods. R474:1
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| 7 But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes. |
Ye shall die – All who have consecrated themselves unto death. "But we shall not all sleep." (1 Cor.15:51) C238, C239; Q117:2
There is no other way of entering into the spirit nature than by dying according to the flesh. R5624:2
Nevertheless, though the natural man understands it not, these are passed over, or rescued, from death. F460
Like men – Like other men. E68; Q122:2; R5729:1, R338:2, R421:4, R3823:3
It is as co-sacrificers with Christ that the death of the saints is esteemed by God. (Psa. 116:15) C239
Or, as men. R4519:4
Confirming the distinction between men and the "New Creatures," between the human and the divine natures. R515:1
One of the princes – Not like Prince Adam, but like Prince Jesus. F444; E68; HG368:3; R301:6, R1106:3
Dead with Christ; made conformable unto his death. C239
The world in general die like Adam, sharing his sentence. F724
Literally, heads (Young's translation). R301:2, R473:6
As joint-sacrificers with Jesus in his death of obedience. R2982:6
"Filling up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ." (Col. 1:24) R3175:3
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| 8 Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations. |
Arise, O God – As soon as the elect Church have all died, Christ will be called upon. E69
In Psa. 110:1 we see Jesus at Jehovah's right-hand, waiting for his enemies to be made his footstool. Then he who had said unto him, "Sit," shall say, "Arise." R303:1*
Judge the earth – Let loose the judgments of the time of trouble. E69
Inherit all nations – In the succeeding "Times of Restitution." (Acts 3:21) E69
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