Print Page Options Listen to Psalm 82

82 God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods.

How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.

Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.

Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.

They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course.

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

But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.

Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations.

A Plea for Justice

A Psalm of Asaph.

82 God (A)stands in the congregation of [a]the mighty;
He judges among (B)the [b]gods.
How long will you judge unjustly,
And (C)show partiality to the wicked? Selah
[c]Defend the poor and fatherless;
Do justice to the afflicted and (D)needy.
Deliver the poor and needy;
Free them from the hand of the wicked.

They do not know, nor do they understand;
They walk about in darkness;
All the (E)foundations of the earth are [d]unstable.

I said, (F)“You are [e]gods,
And all of you are children of the Most High.
But you shall die like men,
And fall like one of the princes.”

Arise, O God, judge the earth;
(G)For You shall inherit all nations.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 82:1 Heb. El, lit. God
  2. Psalm 82:1 Judges; Heb. elohim, lit. mighty ones or gods
  3. Psalm 82:3 Vindicate
  4. Psalm 82:5 moved
  5. Psalm 82:6 Judges; Heb. elohim, lit. mighty ones or gods

82 (0) A psalm of Asaf:

(1) Elohim [God] stands in the divine assembly;
there with the elohim [judges], he judges:
“How long will you go on judging unfairly,
favoring the wicked? (Selah)
Give justice to the weak and fatherless!
Uphold the rights of the wretched and poor!
Rescue the destitute and needy;
deliver them from the power of the wicked!”

They don’t know, they don’t understand,
they wander about in darkness;
meanwhile, all the foundations of the earth
are being undermined.

“My decree is: ‘You are elohim [gods, judges],
sons of the Most High all of you.
Nevertheless, you will die like mortals;
like any prince, you will fall.’”

Rise up, Elohim, and judge the earth;
for all the nations are yours.

Psalm 82

A psalm of Asaph.

82 God takes his stand in the divine council;
    he gives judgment among the gods:
“How long will you judge unjustly
    by granting favor to the wicked? Selah
Give justice to the lowly and the orphan;
    maintain the right of the poor and the destitute!
Rescue the lowly and the needy.
    Deliver them from the power of the wicked!

They don’t know; they don’t understand;
    they wander around in the dark.
    All the earth’s foundations shake.

    I hereby declare, “You are gods,
    children of the Most High—all of you!
But you will die like mortals;
    you will fall down like any prince.”

Rise up, God! Judge the earth
    because you hold all nations in your possession!

A Cry for Justice

A psalm of Asaph.

82 God is in charge of the great meeting;
    he judges among the “gods.”
He says, “How long will you defend evil people?
    How long will you show greater kindness to the wicked? Selah
Defend the weak and the orphans;
    defend the rights of the poor and suffering.
Save the weak and helpless;
    free them from the power of the wicked.

“You know nothing. You don’t understand.
You walk in the dark,
    while the world is falling apart.
I said, ‘You are “gods.”
    You are all sons of God Most High.’
But you will die like any other person;
    you will fall like all the leaders.”

God, come and judge the earth,
    because you own all the nations.