Question
Dear Gramps,
In Psalms 82:6 it reads
I have said, Ye are Gods; and all of you are children of the most High.
I have always thought this passage was telling us that we have the potential to become Gods. However, James E. Talmage may have stated otherwise. At the bottom of page 501, in the book “Jesus The Christ”, Talmage gives his opinion. Can you please explain what Talmage is saying and what the passage means?
Daniel
Answer
Dear Daniel,
You are of course correct in your interpretation of Psalms 82:6. However, Talmage does not disagree with you. The Jews accused Jesus of blasphemy because thou, being a man, makest thyself God, (John 10:33). In his rebuttal, Jesus showed them that in the Jewish law even men are called gods.–Jesus answered them,
Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? (John 10:34).
Talmage reports that the Savior in citing the above scripture in John is referring to the judges in Israel as being called gods, rather than to Psalms 82:6. Thus, if other men who are in judicial authority are called gods, the Jews would have even less justification for accusing the Savior of blasphemy. It is interesting to note that no footnote in John 10:34 refers to Psalms 82:6.
Talmage then goes on to state—
“Then, reverting to the first avouchment that His own commission was of the Father who is greater than all, He added: “If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.”
Again the Jews sought to take Him, but were foiled by means not stated; He passed from their reach and departed from the temple.”
Gramps
