Psalm 82 - Judging the Judges

Psalm 82 is a little confusing at first. What is he (the psalmist) talking about "gods?"
All of the commentaries that I read say the psalmist is talking about "judges."
Here's a nice explanation that I found. you are gods

Here is what this psalm says judges should do and not do.

• Don't judge unjustly
• Don't show partiality to the wicked
• Defend the weak and the fatherless
• Uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed
• Rescue the weak and the needy

We should demand the same from our judges.

And then we should live our lives as we expect them to live.

What are some things that you can do to defend the weak and fatherless?

What are you doing to help the poor and the oppressed?

Are you rescuing the weak and the needy?

Somehow - over the decades - the church has abandoned our call and given many of these things over to the federal government. Now the government is jillions of dollars in debt and the church has become fat and lazy.

WE should change that. What are your ideas of how to live our lives within these guidelines for the judges? We can't judge the judges without judging ourselves.

Psalm 72 - Praying for Those in Charge

Psalm 72 is a prayer of David for his son Solomon. Since we don't have kings around these parts we may think that we don't relate to this psalm. But what's good for the king should be good for anyone who is in authority. You can start with the President, but keep going. Senators, congressmen, governors, state legislators, mayors, local sheriff and police officers.....

The prayer David had for Solomon has many things in it that we should use as a guide as we pray for all of those listed above (and others.)

I'm using the NIV and NLT for my thoughts below.

• Give your love of justice to the king and let him judge the people in righteousness.
• Let the poor always be treated fairly.
• Help him defend the poor.
• Help him rescue the children of the needy.
• May the king's reign be refreshing like Spring rain.

Even if the mayor or governor or president or whoever isn't someone you voted for these are things that you can pray for him or her. Now the whole part about "may the king reign forever" is NOT something you'll want to pray no matter if you voted for that person or not. Ha!

The Apostle Paul also gave instructions about praying for those in authority.

1 Timothy 2:1 I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. 2 Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and pleases God our Savior,