Regarding Psalm 82’s Divine Council and Lower-Case “g” Gods
Psalm 82 starts with an incredible statement: It opens with God presiding over a “divine council,” declaring judgment on lower-case g “gods” who have failed to uphold justice on earth. What is the psalmist talking about? Are these angels? Demons? A heavenly bureaucracy? An inflated term for earthly kings?
But starting there is asking the wrong question. We must step back and ask what is the point of this Psalm? And the point isn’t about mapping out a cosmic org chart. It’s about God confronting and calling out corruption.
Look closely: in verses 6 and 7,
6 I said, “You are gods,
sons of the Most High, all of you;
7 nevertheless, like men you shall die,
and fall like any prince.”
In these verses, God calls these so-called “gods” to account. They may have been elevated to positions of authority, but they are going to die like anyone else. Why? Because they failed their assignment. Their job was clear: defend the weak, care for widows and orphans, protect the poor and oppressed. Instead, they exploited power for themselves. So God Himself declares He will inherit the nations, because His appointed rulers proved unworthy.
That’s not an abstract theological debate. That’s God calling out bad leadership.
So why do some readers imagine this Psalm to depict a scene about spiritual beings? Because other parts of the Bible—Job 1, Ezekiel 10, Revelation 14 and 19—do show us true, heavenly scenes full of actual spiritual beings around God’s throne. We know these scenes are real and take place, but Psalm 82 isn’t one of those moments. It’s not about what’s happening in heaven; it’s about what’s failing on earth.
But what’s important to note is that this verse is referenced elsewhere… by Jesus Christ Himself. Fast forward to John 10. Jesus is in the temple, being pressed by the crowds to answer the question they are all wondering: “Are you the Messiah? Tell us plainly!” He answers that He already has given the answer, and His works prove it, but only those who belong to His flock can see it. Then He says something that is a theological nuclear explosion: Jesus says, “I and the Father are one.”
For those listening, this was clear blasphemy, and so they pick up stones to kill Jesus, accusing Christ of blasphemy by saying He is “making Himself God.” And what does Jesus do? He quotes Psalm 82: “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I said, you are gods’?”
Now, He isn’t suggesting we’re all little deities. Quite the opposite. He’s contrasting Himself with those corrupt rulers in Psalm 82. If flawed human leaders could once be called “gods” by virtue of their office, how much more appropriate is it for Him, the One actually sent by the Father, to claim unity with God?
Jesus is flipping the argument back on His accusers. They’re outraged that a man could claim to be God, but their own Scriptures once applied divine titles to leaders—and even ones who failed spectacularly. If that language could apply to them, how much more should it apply to the true Son of God?
For me, while I believe in the gathering of spiritual authorities under God’s commands, this settles the debate about Psalm 82’s “divine council.” Jesus Himself identifies them as human beings. Not angels. Not demigods. Human rulers entrusted with authority who fell short.
And here’s the takeaway for us: Psalm 82 is not an invitation to think of ourselves as divine. It’s a warning that leadership carries accountability. We may not be kings or judges, but every one of us holds some sphere of influence—families, workplaces, communities. God expects us, His followers, to use that authority for His glory and to see His plan unfold here on earth as we care for the vulnerable, not for ourselves.
So no, Psalm 82 doesn’t make you or me a god. But it does remind us that our choices matter, especially when they affect the weak, the poor, and the marginalized. And it reminds us that when human leaders fail, God Himself doesn’t just wring His hands—He acts.
And His greatest act is that of the Gospel. John 10 points us to the one leader who didn’t fail. Jesus embodies the justice, mercy, and faithfulness that Psalm 82’s rulers lacked, and not only that, but He embodies the salvation we need for our failures. He is not just divinely appointed; He is the divine good shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep, standing in stark contrast to the corrupt “gods” who abandoned their charge, and being our God who did not abandoned us, but forever saved us.
