82:2 How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the {b} wicked? Selah.
(b) For thieves and murderers find favour in judgment when the cause of the godly cannot be heard.
82:2 How long - The psalmist speaks to them in God's name. Accept - By giving sentence according to your respect or affection to the person.
82:1-5 Magistrates are the mighty in authority for the public good. Magistrates are the ministers of God's providence, for keeping up order and peace, and particularly in punishing evil-doers, and protecting those that do well. Good princes and good judges, who mean well, are under Divine direction; and bad ones, who mean ill, are under Divine restraint. The authority of God is to be submitted to, in those governors whom his providence places over us. But when justice is turned from what is right, no good can be expected. The evil actions of public persons are public mischiefs.
