*Revised Version: "Psalm 82 Explained - Excerpt"*

Earthly angels are prone to complacency. This is why God rebuked those David called “gods” in *Psalm 82:1* for failing to execute justice or defend the poor.

The word “gods” refers to the _sons of God_ — those who present themselves before the Lord in *Job 1:6*. They are the angels God assigned to watch over mankind, to ensure that evil and violence do not completely overrun the earth.

Among them were the earthly angels who accompanied the Lord to Sodom and Gomorrah in *Genesis 18*.

Unlike the Seraphim and Cherubim whose duties are confined to heaven and the throne, the sons of God have an assignment that is earth-bound. Yet in *Genesis 6*, they abandoned that post. They took wives for themselves and neglected their duty to watch men and report back to God.

As a result, evil multiplied. Violence filled the earth until only Noah was found righteous. If there had been 15 or 20 righteous people, perhaps God would have spared the world for their sake. But with only one left, God chose to rescue the righteous rather than allow him to be swallowed by wickedness, or destroy him with the nation.

*The Contrast: Melchizedek*
Earthly angels are meant to be watchers and mediators. A perfect example is *Melchizedek, King of Salem*:

*Hebrews 7:1-3*
> _1 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;_
> _2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;_
> _3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually._

Not many earthly angels are as remarkable as Melchizedek. Most received the rebuke and judgment David records in *Psalm 82:2-6*.
Melchizedek was called _King of Righteousness_ and _King of Peace_. He was also a priest of God — a mediator. He represents what the assignment was supposed to look like.

*The Charge of Folly*
While some earthly angels and righteous men on earth served faithfully as mediators, many others watched complacently as evil prospered.

That is why *Psalm 82:1* says _“God judgeth among the gods.”_ Verses 2-6 list the charges.

*Job 4:18* confirms it:
> _Behold, he put no trust in his servants; and his angels he charged with folly._

The folly here is specific to the earthly angels. While men like Melchizedek stood as examples, others abandoned their post.

God has every right to bring charges. When evil men prosper unchecked, a nation can be overtaken. In the worst case, one righteous man is all that remains — and God must come down, verify, and bring judgment on that nation to save that one.

To prevent this, God assigned the sons of God as watchers and mediators among men. This is what they failed to do in *Genesis 6*. They saw that the daughters of men were fair, took wives, and abandoned their duties.

For 5 centuries the earth grew more corrupt and full of violence. By the time of Noah, only one righteous man remained, and the sons of God were still present, doing nothing.

After Genesis 6, God took a stance. He began to judge earthly angels who were negligent. That judgment is recorded in *Psalm 82*. That is also why *Job 4:18* says God _“charged his angels with folly.”