For the LDS and for others, Psalm 82:6 seems like a slam dunk as it says, “you are gods.” But does it really? Look at the text:
1 God presides in the great assembly;
he renders judgment among the “gods”:
2 “How long will you[a] defend the unjust
and show partiality to the wicked?[b]
3 Defend the weak and the fatherless;
uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.
4 Rescue the weak and the needy;
deliver them from the hand of the wicked.
5 “The ‘gods’ know nothing, they understand nothing.
They walk about in darkness;
all the foundations of the earth are shaken.
6 “I said, ‘You are “gods”;
you are all sons of the Most High.’
7 But you will die like mere mortals;
you will fall like every other ruler.”
8 Rise up, O God, judge the earth,
for all the nations are your inheritance.
How are the “gods” described?
- Showing partiality to the wicked (v. 2)
- The gods know nothing and understand nothing (v. 5)
- They walk in darkness (v. 5)
- They will die like mere mortals and fall like every other ruler (v. 7)
This is not how one sees someone as a god–evil, wicked, and will die.
So what does this mean? It’s quite clear. Look at v. 7. It’s talking about the “rulers.” The rulers perceived themselves as gods.
So here’s the synopsis:
- The rulers of the earth sets themselves up as “gods”
- They were doing what was wicked.
- Calls them to walk in their role and serve the poor and needy, giving them their needed protection from the wicked
- And they should remember that they too will die and face the Judge of all the earth.
So when we take this in context, we see that it has nothing to do with becoming a god or that we are gods. It’s actually a rebuke to earthly rulers who see themselves as such.
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This video below explains this Scripture.
