Question:
What does the Bible mean in Psalm 82 and Gen. chapter 6 when it talks about other gods? Who are they and what’s their function?
Answer:
Psalm 82 says, “God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth 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 shalt inherit all nations.”
The term “gods” here is referring to “leaders” and “judges” of the nation of Israel — not “false gods” or “idols.” It is similar to when Sarah called Abraham, “lord.” She was not worshipping her husband or saying that he was “God” to her. It was simply a title of reverence. I Peter 3:1-6 says, “Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.” The term “gods” is sometimes used in Scripture (although, rarely) in the same way. Even Jesus used it in that sense in John 10:34-36, “Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?” Jesus was saying to them, “You are not too consistent! When leaders in the Old Testament were called “gods,” you did not say that the people were blaspheming (because you knew that it was just a title of respect). But when I come along (One that the Father has clearly set apart and shown to be the Son of God, God Almighty in the flesh), you quickly say that I am blaspheming! You do not mind when revered men are called “god,” but when God Almighty in the flesh comes along, then you protest at Him being called ‘God!’”
So back to Psalm 82; “God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods. How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.” They were not judging rightly, but were perverting judgment. God goes on to say to them, “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.” God’s summary of their corrupted legal system was, “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 shalt inherit all nations.” God was saying that He was going to bring down judgment upon the judges, because they were not judging rightly.
I am not sure what translation of the Bible you are using, if it calls these ones “gods” in Genesis 6. You need to be reading the King James Bible, so you are not led astray by the corrupted readings of the other translations. Genesis 6:1-6 says, “And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose. And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years. There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown. And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.” These “sons of God” were, first of all, “men,” because that is against whom the wrath of God was directed. “And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with MAN, for that he also is FLESH.” Some have said that these “sons of God” were angels in this passage. If that were the case, then God would have directed His wrath toward the angels — not toward men. But God clearly says that His wrath would be directed toward “man,” and “flesh.” Angels are ministering “spirits,” and hence, do not have normal “flesh.” Hebrews 1:13,14 says, “But to which of the ANGELS said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? Are they not all MINISTERING SPIRITS, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” Luke 24:39 says, “Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for A SPIRIT HATH NOT FLESH AND BONES, as ye see me have.”