Psalm 82 puzzle

Tough passage. I think it shows how we have to take scripture in its cultural and literary context to make sense of it. In looking at my study bible’s notes, it states the psalm was written in the context of a polytheistic culture where perhaps there was still acceptance of minor gods, and with Jehovah God being head of a council with the under gods and angels serving Him. We see other references to that in the OT. The Psalm is also addressing the rulers of the day who were thought to be representatives of God on earth, something that continued to be referenced in the NT. The reference in John was of course Jesus using scripture to refute the arguments that Jesus was blaspheming.
It is indeed hard to integrate that will our current understanding of God and angels and such. Perhaps indicates that while God is unchanging, our understanding of him is not as it appears Judaism and Christianity evolved as well.

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