49. Good shepherd. Notes

GS.1.
Psalm 82

1 God stands in the congregation of the mighty; he judges among the gods.
2 How long will you judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.
3 Defend the poor and fatherless; do justice to the afflicted and needy.
4 Deliver the poor and needy; rid them out of the hand of the wicked.
5 They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are out of course.

6 I have said, You are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.

7 But you will die like men, and fall like one of the princes.
8 Arise, O God, judge the earth: for you will inherit all peoples.

The psalmist appears to know that humans are born in the image of God, as were Adam and Eve. They are his children. But in their fallen condition, they are alienated from him and will die.

He calls attention to the fact that powerful people are among those who don't realize that they should have eternal life but, because of their selfishness, will miss out.

Jesus is pointing out that this psalm makes humans a part of God. The psalm is not to be taken as only metaphorical.