Psalm 82

A psalm of Asaph.

God presides in the great assembly;
    he renders judgment among the ‘gods’:

‘How long will you[a] defend the unjust
    and show partiality to the wicked?[b]
Defend the weak and the fatherless;
    uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.
Rescue the weak and the needy;
    deliver them from the hand of the wicked.

‘The “gods” know nothing, they understand nothing.
    They walk about in darkness;
    all the foundations of the earth are shaken.

‘I said, “You are ‘gods’;
    you are all sons of the Most High.”
But you will die like mere mortals;
    you will fall like every other ruler.’

Rise up, O God, judge the earth,
    for all the nations are your inheritance.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 82:2 The Hebrew is plural.
  2. Psalm 82:2 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.

A Psalm of Asaph

Asking God for Justice

82 God takes his stand in the divine assembly;
    among the divine[a] beings[b] he renders judgment:

“How long will you judge partially
    by showing favor on the wicked?[c]
Interlude

“Defend the poor and the fatherless.
    Vindicate the afflicted and the poor.
Rescue the poor and the needy,
    delivering them from the power of the wicked.
They neither know nor understand;
    they walk about in the dark
        while all the foundations of the earth are shaken.

“Indeed I said, ‘You are gods,
    and all of you are sons of the Most High.
However, as all human beings do, you will die,
    and like other rulers, you will fall.’
Arise, God, to judge the earth,
    for all nations belong to you.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 82:1 Or angelic
  2. Psalm 82:1 Or the gods
  3. Psalm 82:2 Lit. you lift the face

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