Last week, we read Psalm 82. There, we read this:
A psalm of/for Asaph (Psalm 82).
God (Elohim) is taking his stand in the community/assembly of God (El),
In the midst of the gods (Elohim) He is exercising authority.
(2) How long will you exercise authority wrongly,
while the faces of the wicked you will lift up? -Selah
(3) Exercise authority for the helpless and the orphan,
To the suffering and the weak act faithfully.
(4) Rescue the helpless and the poor;
from the hand of the wicked deliver them.
(5) They haven't known,
and they haven't understood.
In the darkness they are going about/around.
The foundations of the earth are being shaken.
(6) I have said,
"Gods (Elohim) are you,
and sons of the Most High (Elyon) are all of you.
(7) However, like a man you will die,
and like one of the commanders you will fall.
(8) Rise up, God (Elohim),
Exercise authority over the earth,
because you possess/own all the nations/peoples.
In this psalm, God is called "Elohim," and the "sons of God" who rule over the nations (Deuteronomy 32:8-9) are also called "Elohim." This is hard for us, right? This is a stretch?
We read this, and we ask ourselves, what does "Elohim" mean? Does Psalm 82 teach that there are many "gods," and these "gods" are all equal to each other? Already in Psalm 82, we see that this can't be right. It has to be more complicated than this. God is Elyon-- God Most High. It is HE who owns all the nations; it is HE who is the final authority over the whole earth (vs. 8).
So what does "Elohim" mean? "Elohim" refers to any spiritual being. It's that simple.
(Put this in the handout:)
Heiser, M. S. (2015). The Unseen Realm: Recovering the Supernatural Worldview of the Bible (First Edition, p. 30). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press:
"The biblical writers refer to a half-dozen different entities with the word elohim. By any religious accounting, the attributes of those entities are not equal.
• Yahweh, the God of Israel (thousands of times—e.g., Gen 2:4–5; Deut 4:35)
• The members of Yahweh’s council (Psa 82:1, 6)
• Gods and goddesses of other nations (Judg 11:24; 1 Kgs 11:33)
• Demons (Hebrew: shedim—Deut 32:17)
• The deceased Samuel (1 Sam 28:13)
• Angels or the Angel of Yahweh (Gen 35:7)."
When we see the word "Elohim," what we want to do, immediately, is funnel our entire understanding of who and what God is into this word. We want to say, "Elohim refers to our all-powerful and all-knowing God." And then, if/when we read our OT, we get confused and frustrated and scared. Don't be scared of Psalm 82. Don't be scared of this "Elohim" language. What "Elohim" means is something more like, "a spiritual being who lives forever, or is supposed to live forever." Yahweh is an Elohim, but he is not like other Elohim. He isn't on the same level. Yahweh is the one who created heaven and earth; HE is Elyon, God Most High. He is the God of Armies.
Once we get used to reading Elohim this way, it fundamentally changes how we read the OT. I think within a month or two, the OT is going to make a lot more sense. And I think you'll be really happy with the way the OT is going to open up to you. But for this to happen, we are going to have to strip off our old way of thinking first.
What I'd like to do this week is work through Psalm 97, to help us become more comfortable with thinking about "Elohim" differently than we are used to. Partly, I just want you to learn to not be scared when you see this language. If you understand what "Elohim" means, and what it doesn't mean, there's no reason to let this shake your faith. This is biblical; it's safe. Let's start by just reading it straight through, and then I'll try to unpack it.
(1) Yahweh has reigned as king.
Let the earth be glad,
Let the many coastlands rejoice.
(2) Clouds and thick darkness [are] all around him.
Faithfulness and justice [are] the foundation of his throne.
(3) Fire walks/goes before him,
and it burns his foes on all sides.
(4) His lightnings lit up the world,
the earth saw and trembled.
(5) The mountains like wax melted before the presence of Yahweh,
all the earth . . . before the presence of the Lord.
(6) The heavens declared his faithfulness,
and all the peoples/nations saw his glory.
(7) May all the ones serving images be put to shame,
the ones boasting in worthless gods/idols.
Bow down to him-- all [you] Elohim/gods.
Zion heard and was glad,
and the daughters of Judah rejoiced
because of your exercising authority, Yahweh,
(9) because you, Yahweh, [are] Most High (Elyon),
Over all the earth you are greatly exalted
` over all the gods/Elohim.
(10) The ones loving Yahweh-- hate evil!
[He is] the one protecting the lives of his faithful ones,
From the hand of the wicked he is delivering them.
(11) Light shines for the faithful,
and for the upright in heart, joy.
(12) Rejoice, faithful ones, in Yahweh,
and give thanks for his holy name.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Yahweh has reigned as king.
Let the earth be glad,
Let the many coastlands rejoice.
The psalmist begins in verse 1 with an expression of faith. Who has reigned as king? Who's in charge of the world? The psalmist says, it's Yahweh. Some of you, when you look at the world, are maybe not so sure this is true. The world is a chaotic, messy place. And you wonder what Yahweh is doing, and if He really reigns. But when we say that it is Yahweh who has reigned as King, this is in part an expression of faith. We believe-- we know-- Yahweh reigns as king. And if this is true-- and we believe it is-- then the earth should be glad; the coastlands should rejoice. It's a good thing that Yahweh is in charge. This should make us happy; this should give us joy.
Verses 2-6:
(2) Clouds and thick darkness [are] all around him.
Faithfulness and justice [are] the foundation of his throne.
(3) Fire is walking/going before him,
and it burns his foes on all sides.
(4) His lightnings lit up the world,
the earth saw and trembled.
(5) The mountains like wax melted before the presence of Yahweh,
all the earth . . . before the presence of the Lord.
(6) The heavens declared his faithfulness,
and all the peoples/nations saw his glory.
Yahweh sits enthroned in the heavens. We can't usually see Him; He is the unseen spiritual realm. But there are times in the OT when Yahweh shows himself to people. Whenever this happens, with maybe one or two exceptions, people are terrified. They know they are going to die because they are confronted with Yahweh's glory. They are sinners; and Yahweh's glory is overwhelming. So what Yahweh does, out of kindness to people, is hide his full glory. Yahweh shines, but he hides his radiance behind thick, dark clouds. Because no one, with few exceptions, can handle being face to face with Yahweh.
When Yahweh appears to people, the Bible describes his coming with distinctive, regular language. This language is called "theophany language." When Yahweh reveals himself to people, he shows up with thick clouds. There's lighting, there's thunder, there's fire, there's smoke, there's earthquakes. It's terrifying. It looks like the end of the world. But as terrifying as all these things are, it doesn't compare to how scared people would actually be if they saw Yahweh face to face.
Exodus 18:9-25:
When Moses had told the words of the people to Yahweh, 10 Yahweh said to Moses: “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. Have them wash their clothes 11 and prepare for the third day, because on the third day Yahweh will come down upon Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. 12 You shall set limits for the people all around, saying, ‘Be careful not to go up the mountain or to touch the edge of it. Any who touch the mountain shall be put to death. 13 No hand shall touch them, but they shall be stoned or shot with arrows;[a]whether animal or human being, they shall not live.’ When the trumpet sounds a long blast, they may go up on the mountain.” 14 So Moses went down from the mountain to the people. He consecrated the people, and they washed their clothes. 15 And he said to the people, “Prepare for the third day; do not go near a woman.”
16 On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, as well as a thick cloud on the mountain, and a blast of a trumpet so loud that all the people who were in the camp trembled. 17 Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God. They took their stand at the foot of the mountain. 18 Now Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke, because Yahweh had descended upon it in fire; the smoke went up like the smoke of a kiln, while the whole mountain shook violently. 19 As the blast of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses would speak and God would answer him in thunder. 20 When Yahweh descended upon Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain, Yahweh summoned Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up. 21 Then Yahweh said to Moses, “Go down and warn the people not to break through to Yahweh to look; otherwise many of them will perish. 22 Even the priests who approach Yahweh must consecrate themselves or Yahweh will break out against them.” 23 Moses said to Yahweh, “The people are not permitted to come up to Mount Sinai; for you yourself warned us, saying, ‘Set limits around the mountain and keep it holy.’” 24 Yahweh said to him, “Go down, and come up bringing Aaron with you; but do not let either the priests or the people break through to come up to Yahweh; otherwise he will break out against them.” 25 So Moses went down to the people and told them.
------------------
When Psalm 97 talks about fire, and smoke, and mountains melting, and thunder and lightning, and earthquakes, we remember Exodus 18, and we think about Yahweh's glory. To the nations, Yahweh's glory is terrifying. Fire goes out from Yahweh, and consumes his enemies (Ps. 97:3). You can't help but shake in fear (97:4). All you can do is melt before him (97:5).
So that's how the nations react to Yahweh's glory. But when we read Psalm 97, or Exodus 18, as God's people who are faithful to him, what is our reaction supposed to be? When we think about Yahweh's glory, do we melt?
Do we shake in fear? Maybe. Partially. But we also know that Yahweh uses his glory and his power for us. I'll read Psalm 97:6 again:
(6) The heavens declared his faithfulness,
and all the peoples/nations saw his glory.
Yahweh's glory should be an encouragement to us. It should give us confidence. Why? Because Yahweh uses his glory for us. Yahweh is faithful to his people.
Are you overwhelmed by this picture of Yahweh? Can you see his radiance, and his incomparable glory? Can you see how encouraging this is?
Verses 7-9
(7) May all the ones serving images be put to shame,
the ones boasting in worthless gods/idols.
Bow down to him-- all [you] Elohim/gods.
Zion heard and was glad,
and the daughters of Judah rejoiced
because of your exercising authority, Yahweh,
(9) because you, Yahweh, are Most High (Elyon),
Over all the earth you are greatly exalted,
` over all the gods/Elohim.
In verse 7, the psalmist moves from describing Yahweh-- our incomparable, glorious God, who fights for us and protect us-- to talking about all the other Elohim. What he says, really, is a prayer: "May all the ones serving images, the ones boasting in worthless gods, be put to shame."
All of us need God's help every day. But there are times when we are aware of how desperately we need his help. The psalms are filled with examples of people being abandoned by their friends, and being surrounded by enemies who are coming against them to humiliate them and threaten them. When life is falling apart around you, you need God's help NOW. You need his encouragement, his strength, and his help. But if you've placed your trust in other Elohim--other gods-- you're doomed. You will be put to shame, because you've given your allegiance to the wrong Elohim. Yahweh won't help you. And Yahweh, alone, is God Most High.
The psalmist knows all this, and he makes this his prayer. "Yahweh, may all the ones not trusting in you, but instead trusting in worthless gods, be put to shame. May they hang their heads. May they realize they've placed their trust in gods that can't help them, and can't protect them."
The psalmist then turns, still in verse 7, to speak to the other Elohim/gods directly. He commands them,
"Bow down to Yahweh--all you gods/Elohim."
We haven't gotten into this yet very much, but the other Elohim-- the sons of Elohim in particular, from Psalm 82 and Deuteronomy 32:8-9, are under Yahweh's authority. Yahweh is in charge. Yahweh has reigned as King over all the earth. But He has also contracted out the nations to the sons of God. Let's reread Deut. 32:8-9 (ESV, modified>>Yahweh):
When the Most High gave to the nations their inheritance,
when he divided mankind,
he fixed the borders[a] of the peoples
according to the number of the sons of God.[b]
9 But Yahweh's portion is his people,
Jacob his allotted heritage.
The sons of God are in charge of the nations. But they have exercised authority over them wickedly. They haven't done what's right. They have refused to submit to Yahweh as King.
The psalmist knows this, and so he commands them-- bow down to Yahweh. It is Yahweh who has reigned as King (vs. 1). Bow before your King.
So, in verse 7, why was Zion glad? Why did the daughters of Judah rejoice?
Israel rejoiced, first of all, because it is Yahweh who exercises authority over all the other gods/Elohim. The other Elohim aren't trustworthy. They are wicked. They misuse their power. And they are weak. Our God, Yahweh, is faithful, and trustworthy, and he loves us. And when we see Yahweh exercising authority over these other Elohim, we cheer. We praise our God, the More Powerful One.
The second reason Israel rejoices is in verse 9:
(9) because you, Yahweh, are Most High (Elyon),
Over all the earth you are greatly exalted,
` over all the gods/Elohim.
I don't know how to add to that, or explain it. It's perfect. It is you, Yahweh, who is Elyon-- Most High. It is you, Yahweh, who is greatly exalted over all the earth-- and over all the Elohim. And we praise you, Yahweh.
In verse 10, the psalmist turns from praising Yahweh, to addressing the congregation.
(10) The ones loving Yahweh-- hate evil!
[He is] the one protecting the lives of his faithful ones,
From the hand of the wicked he is delivering them.
Who is your Elohim? Who is your God? If the Elohim you love, and serve, is Yahweh, then you need to hate evil. Yahweh protects you; Yahweh delivers you from the wicked. But you need to hate evil.
Verse 11 is tricky. The psalmist is either using very unique imagery here, or there's been a small scribal error in the Hebrew text our OT is mostly based on. What you see in the translation I've given you in verse 11 is this:
(11) Light shines for the faithful,
and for the upright in heart, joy.
If you're reading the ESV or RSV, what you have is this: "Light is sown for the faithful." The idea would be that Yahweh is like a farmer, who plants light in the ground, to guide the faithful in their path through life. Like he's sticking candles in the ground.
But if you're reading the NIV or NRSV it says, "Light shines for the faithful." Most of your Bibles should have a little footnote by verse 11, that tells you that 1 Hebrew manuscript, the Greek OT, and the Syriac all have, "Light shines for the faithful." None of my commentaries tell me which Hebrew manuscript this is, and google failed me. So my inner nerd is kind of sad about that. But I think the best explanation here is that at some point, a scribe miscopied a single letter in the Hebrew, and changed it from "shines" to "plants." So probably the NRSV is right here.
I explain all this, partly because I lean toward the nerd side, and kind of enjoy that. But also partly because some people worry about the reliability of the Bible. They think it's filled with errors, and they worry about not knowing for sure what's actually there. But most of the time, when our different copies of the OT disagree on something, it's over things like this. It's not that common, it's not usually a big deal, and it's usually not hard to figure out which option is more likely (and even if we can't, it's not a big deal).
So what was verse 11 again?:
(11) Light shines for the faithful,
and for the upright in heart, joy.
Yahweh is light, and in him there is no darkness at all. And when we talk about Yahweh's glory, this is part of what it means-- Yahweh shines. Isaiah 60:1-2:
60 Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.
2 For behold, darkness shall cover the earth,
and thick darkness the peoples;
but the LORD will arise upon you,
and his glory will be seen upon you.
If Yahweh shines on you-- if his glory is on you-- then you are richly blessed. Who receives Yahweh's light? Who receives Yahweh's favor? The faithful do. The ones who walk uprightly.
Verse 12:
(12) Rejoice, faithful ones, in Yahweh,
and give thanks to his holy name.
If we understand who Yahweh is, and what he does for us, we can't help but praise him. Rejoice, faithful ones, in Yahweh. Yahweh is good! Yahweh has reigned as king! Yahweh has promised to help! Praise him!
The last line, I'm tempted to explain in a way that would be a stretch to you. The psalmist writes, "Give thanks to his holy name."
But I fear I'm teetering on the edge of pushing you all too much already. So I'll just leave it like this: God's holy name-- the name that sets him apart-- is Yahweh. And when we praise God, and give him thanks, we are not just thanking some nameless, generic god. We are very specifically praising Yahweh, the Most High, the Maker of heaven and earth, the King who exercises authority over all people and all other gods.
Rejoice, faithful ones, in Yahweh,
and give thanks to his holy name.
