Q: Can you please comment or explain Psalm 82:6 where God says, "I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High." I know in John 10:34 Jesus makes reference to this passage. I have family members who are Mormons and they use these verses to promote their belief that they will one day become gods.

A:  The title, god, carries the idea of one who is exalted and powerful. Only God has all power and is fully exalted. In this sense, He alone is God (Psalm 86:8-10; Isaiah 44:6; 45:22). We are to have no other gods before Him (Exodus 20:3). 

Yet, 1Corinthians 8:4-6 tells us that there are many that be called gods: "For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) But to us there is but one God." Here, we see that there are beings called gods both in heaven and in earth. In Genesis 3:5, one of the temptations by the serpent is that by eating the forbidden fruit men can be "as gods." But who are these human gods?

Exodus 22:28 Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people.

Here, the rulers of the people are connected with gods. Their power over others gives them a position similar to that of gods.

Psalm 82:6 I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.

In this psalm, God is declared to be the great Judge of all the earth (v.1). He is contrasted with the earthly judges who "judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked" (v.2). They are the ones who are called gods. A god is one who is exalted and powerful. He makes decisions in the lives of others. These powerful men were gods (not God) because of their power, but because of their unjust judgment they will "die like men, and fall like one of the princes" (v.7). Their power will not keep them from death or from their own judgment. 

These verses have nothing to do with the Mormon doctrine of men becoming gods. It only has to do with a parallel use of the word god for the purpose of showing the power and thereby the responsibility of certain positions on earth.

Till He comes,

Pastor David Reagan