Psalms 82:7

7 nevertheless, you shall die like mortals, and fall like any prince."

Psalms 82:7 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 82:7

But ye shall die like men
As men in common do, to whom it is appointed to die, ( Hebrews 9:27 ) or as common men, as men in the lowest class of life: the wise man dies as the fool, the king as the peasant, high as the low, rich as the poor; death levels and makes all alike: or as Adam, as the first man, so Jarchi, who was lord of the whole universe; but being in honour, abode not, but became like the beasts that perish; sinning he died, and so all his posterity, even those who have the greatest power and authority on earth; see ( Psalms 49:2 Psalms 49:10 Psalms 49:12 ) and not only die a corporeal death, but an eternal one, dying in their sins; as Christ threatened the Jewish rulers, Scribes, and Pharisees, if they believed not in him, ( John 8:21 John 8:24 )

and fall like one of the princes;
or the chief of them, Satan, who fell like lightning from heaven, ( Luke 10:18 ) or rather as one of the giants that lived in the old world, famous for their injustice and oppression, that fell in the deluge, ( Genesis 6:4 ) or any of the Heathen princes, tyrants and oppressors, such as are mentioned in the following psalm, ( Psalms 83:9 Psalms 83:10 ) . This may have respect to the destruction of the Jewish nation, which is called the falling of them, ( Romans 11:11 Romans 11:12 ) and the words may be rendered, "and ye shall fall together, equally and alike, O ye princes" F1; when the Jewish state, civil and ecclesiastical, fell, they fell with it, and together; the princes of this world then came to nought, or were abolished, they and their authority, as the Apostle Paul says they should, ( 1 Corinthians 2:6 ) the sceptre then departed from Judah, and the lawgiver from between his feet; all rule and authority ceased among them, as Jacob foretold it would, ( Genesis 49:10 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F1 (dxak) "pariter; sive ex aequo", Maius apud Gataker. Cin. c. 10. p. 292.

Psalms 82:7 In-Context

5 They have neither knowledge nor understanding, they walk around in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken.
6 I say, "You are gods, children of the Most High, all of you;
7 nevertheless, you shall die like mortals, and fall like any prince."
8 Rise up, O God, judge the earth; for all the nations belong to you!

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Or [fall as one man, O princes]
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.