Psalm 82 8

Psalm 82:8 kjv

Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations.

Psalm 82:8 nkjv

Arise, O God, judge the earth; For You shall inherit all nations.

Psalm 82:8 niv

Rise up, O God, judge the earth, for all the nations are your inheritance.

Psalm 82:8 esv

Arise, O God, judge the earth; for you shall inherit all the nations!

Psalm 82:8 nlt

Rise up, O God, and judge the earth,
for all the nations belong to you.

Psalm 82 verses

Psalm 82 8 Meaning

Psalm 82:8 is a profound prophetic appeal for God, the one true Sovereign, to actively intervene and manifest His inherent dominion over all the earth. Following the Lord’s rebuke of unrighteous rulers or divine beings for their injustice, this verse serves as a climactic prayer and declaration, acknowledging that the entire world and all its peoples rightly belong to Him and are destined to be fully under His righteous rule and judgment.

Psalm 82 8 Context

Psalm 82 is a maskil (an instructional or wisdom psalm) attributed to Asaph. The psalm depicts God (Elohim) presiding over a divine assembly (or, as some interpret, an assembly of human judges/rulers who are metaphorically called "gods"). Within this assembly, God severely rebukes these "gods" for their chronic failure to uphold justice, showing partiality to the wicked, and neglecting the plight of the poor and oppressed. He pronounces their eventual mortality, declaring that even though they are called "gods" (elohim) and "sons of the Most High," they will die like ordinary mortals. Verse 8 functions as a culminating cry or a divine verdict's resolution. It transitions from the specific judgment against unrighteous authorities (whether divine beings or human leaders) to a broader, universal, and eschatological appeal for God's ultimate, uncontested rule over all nations, grounded in His inherent right. It encapsulates the prayer that God's righteous kingdom would fully come to bear on the entire world.

Psalm 82 8 Word analysis

• Arise (ק֫וּמָה qûmâ): An imperative verb, "stand up!" This is a dramatic plea for God to act, moving from His present state of judgment within the assembly (implied from verse 1) to actively enforcing His justice globally. It signifies a decisive, interventionist action, echoing calls for divine intervention found throughout the Psalms.
• O God (אֱלֹהִים ʾĔlōhîm): Here, the term clearly refers to the singular, supreme God, Yahweh. This is crucial as ʾĔlōhîm throughout Psalm 82 (v.1, 6) has also referred to lesser beings (either members of a divine council or powerful human judges). The address here explicitly distinguishes and invokes the true Sovereign Judge.
• judge (שָׁפְטָה šōfṭāh): An imperative from šāpaṭ, meaning "to govern, rule, judge, deliver, execute justice." It signifies more than just passing a verdict; it encompasses the active administration of righteousness, righting wrongs, and establishing order and justice throughout the earth.
• the earth (הָאָרֶץ hāʾāreṣ): This refers to the entire inhabited world, with all its nations, peoples, and systems. It underscores the universal scope of the desired divine judgment and rule, encompassing all of humanity, not just Israel or a specific region.
• for (כִּי kî): This conjunction introduces the reason, basis, or justification for the preceding imperative. The command to "Arise, O God, judge the earth" is directly grounded in the following theological truth.
• you shall inherit (תִּנְחַל tinḥal): An imperfect verb from nāḥal, meaning "to take possession of, to inherit, to possess by right, to receive as a heritage." The imperfect tense suggests an ongoing or certain future reality. It’s not a request for God to gain something new, but to actualize what is inherently and rightfully His by creation and divine decree—a lasting, unchallenged possession.
• all the nations (כָּל־הַגּוֹיִם kol-hagôyim): This emphasizes absolute universality. Gôyim commonly refers to the Gentiles, non-Israelite peoples. The inclusion of "all" underscores that every people group and every part of the globe rightfully belongs to God. This truth serves as the ultimate guarantee that God's righteous judgment and reign will encompass every corner of creation, ultimately challenging and surpassing all limited human or false claims of dominion.

Words-group Analysis

• Arise, O God, judge the earth: This phrase is an urgent, dramatic plea or an impassioned prophetic utterance directed at the supreme God. It calls for Him to physically manifest His authority and execute universal justice on a grand, cosmic scale. It's a pivot from the specific critique of earthly (or heavenly) rulers to a universal divine intervention.
• for you shall inherit all the nations: This serves as the powerful theological basis and unwavering certainty behind the preceding plea. It declares God’s undisputed right to dominion over every single nation, asserting His rightful and permanent claim to the entire world as His possession. It assures that God's universal judgment and reign are not a matter of debate but of future certainty and divine prerogative. This foundational truth motivates the fervent petition.

Psalm 82 8 Bonus section

• The phrasing "you shall inherit all the nations" acts as a strong polemic against the polytheistic views prevalent in the ancient Near East, where different gods were believed to preside over different nations. Psalm 82:8 decisively declares that all nations belong to Yahweh alone.
• This verse can be viewed as an eschatological anticipation, a longing for the full manifestation of God's kingdom on earth, which biblical theology shows will ultimately be realized through the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who will judge and rule the nations (Rev 19:15-16).
• The imperative "Arise" suggests that God, for a time, allows the unrighteous to continue, but there is a clear divine appointment for Him to definitively intervene and fully possess what is His. This highlights God's sovereign timing and patient justice before His ultimate intervention.

Psalm 82 8 Commentary

Psalm 82:8 encapsulates a magnificent vision of God’s ultimate sovereignty and just governance over all creation. Following the divine censure of earthly or heavenly rulers who have failed in their mandate to administer justice fairly, the psalmist's utterance pivots from a lament over present corruption to a resolute declaration of future divine restoration. "Arise, O God, judge the earth" is not merely a request but a desperate yet confident cry for the final, comprehensive establishment of God's righteousness. It expresses the deep longing for an age when the misrule and injustice witnessed in the divine assembly and throughout the nations will be rectified by the perfect Divine Judge. The subsequent declaration, "for you shall inherit all the nations," provides the unshakeable foundation for this hope. God’s dominion over all peoples is an inherent, unchallengeable right, an assured future. This is a powerful assertion against any rival claims to authority, whether human empires or perceived cosmic powers. The "inheritance" signifies not acquisition by conquest but the reclaiming of what legitimately belongs to the Creator. This verse thus stands as a foundational promise, pointing to the ultimate reign of God (and by extension, the Messiah as God's chosen King), when every nation will finally recognize and be subjected to His righteous, eternal kingdom. It serves as a blueprint for prayer in times of great injustice, anchoring believers' hope in God's certain and ultimate triumph.

• Example: When global news highlights widespread corruption or the suffering of the innocent due to unjust governance, Psalm 82:8 provides a theological framework for prayer, appealing for God's eventual, righteous intervention and the establishment of His worldwide kingdom.
• Example: In moments of despair over human failure to achieve peace or justice, this verse reaffirms that God retains ultimate sovereignty and that His plans for the earth, including its full inheritance by Him, will certainly come to fruition.