Comprehending the truth that we are not dealing with “flesh and blood, but against . . . spiritual wickedness in high places,” (Ephesians 6:12) opens our eyes to the reality of the spiritual realm. This understanding and a close look at the Hebrew vocabulary of Psalm 82 brings an entirely new perspective on this non-physical realm.
Psalm 82 begins with God taking a stand, or establishing, (natsab Strong’s H5342) a congregation, or assembly, (edah Strong’s H5712). It continues “He judgeth among the gods (elohim Strong’s H430). The Lord judges, or criticizes, this group for failing to do their job.
[A Psalm of Asaph.] God stands in the congregation of the mighty; He judges among the gods.
“How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah. Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked. They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course. I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High. But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.”
Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shall inherit all nations.
– Psalm 82:1-8It is generally thought that those in this assembly is a group of men, but the Psalm clarifies that. After criticizing this group for not following His principles and precepts (judging unjustly – verse 6) the Lord calls this group “gods” (elohim – verse 6) and says that they are “children of the Most High” (elyon Strong’s H5945). The Lord continued, “but ye shall die like men” (verse 7). The Lord says that this assembly are not men.
This group of spiritual beings was given the authority and responsibility to oversee and care for the people within their “nation,” and they were not following the Lord’s precepts. Some call this the “Divine Council.” This divine assembly is found several places in the Bible.
The Prophet Daniel gave Nebuchadnezzar “the decree of the watchers, and the demand of the holy ones.” (Daniel 4:17) According to Gesenius, the Aramaic (much of Daniel is in Aramaic) word for “watcher,” ‘iyr, means a guard and was used in later Hebrew as “angel.” “Holy ones,” in Aramaic qaddiysh, means God or any deity, Daniel described a group of spiritual beings making a decision, the Divine Council.
Another scene depicting the Divine Council is found in the vision of Daniel chapter seven. Thrones (plural) were “cast down” (set down), and God took His place (verse 9). Judgment, or “the tribunal” (according to Gesenius), began (verse 10). “But the judgment (the tribunal) shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion” (verse 26). The Divine Council ruled against the horn, or power, described in verse 24.
Further confirmation of the nature of the “sons of God” is found in Psalm 89. Here the sons of God (ben el, Strong’s H1121, H410), (KJV – sons of the mighty), are described as living in heaven (verse 6). The word shachaq (Strong’s H7834) is used as clouds or heavens, but the Hebrew text goes a step further. The text places a beit before shachaq. The beit means “house,” and the beit before shachaq says “House of the Heavens,” or the dwelling place of God. These sons of God dwell in Heaven. They are spiritual beings.
There is clearly more going on in the spiritual realm than we are aware of. Psalm 82 tells us that the Lord is not pleased with the performance of the Divine Council. Let us praise the Lord for being in control over the spiritual realm and for protecting us from its denizens.