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Interpretation and application of Ps 82

하경택 1

1장로회신학대학교

Candidate

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this paper is, through the study on Psalm 82, to investigate how the Psalms of Ancient Israel are to be interpreted and appled by the modern reader or audience. A history of the interpreta- tion of Psalm 82 lets us know that the interpretations of the Psalm are very diverse and controversial. Particularly in the study on Psalm 82 the interpretation about ‘gods’(Elohim) is crucial for the understanding of the theme and message of the Psalm. There are three main approaches: understanding in the perspective of the history of religions, prophetical understanding as a social criticism and rabbinic understan- ding reflected in the New Testament (Gospel of John). First of all, the religio-historical approach shows us that Psalm 82 provides the criteria for God. Real God establishes the social justice through helping the poor and weak in the society. When the gods fail in their duties, they are deprived of the status and right as a god. In addition, Psalm 82 lets us know what position Israel's God is holding in the world. He is the supreme God who governs the creation world and all that belongs to it. Secondly, in the prophetical understanding the statements of God are read as a social criticism of the prophets. This criticism is aired at the judges or persons in authority who were abusing their power. It is based on laws regulating court procedure. The advocate of this interpretation is A. Deissler. He relates the theme and situation of Psalm 82 to Isa 3: 13ff. The prophetical understanding corresponds to the position of the translations that see Elohim as a judge (e.g. Ex 21: 6; 22: 6-7, 8, 27; 1 Sam 2: 25). Finally the rabbinic understanding leads us to apply the meaning of the Psalm to individuals. This hermeneutical tradition is reflected in the understan- ding of the New Testament. In chapter 10 of John the Jews are about to stone Jesus for blasphemy, because he claims himself God. In the answer of Jesus (John 10: 34) Elohim are explained as those who have received the word of God. They have divine power, but only when they are faithful to their duty and role their divine power is to be maintained and admitted by God. These approaches are not alternative but complementary. Through the investigation of the interpretation of Psalm 82 we can find out that the Old Testament integrates the heavenly and the earthly, and the social and the individual.

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