Psalm 82

A Plea for Righteous Judgment

A psalm of Asaph.(A)

God stands in the divine assembly;
he pronounces judgment among the gods:[a](B)
“How long will you judge unjustly
and show partiality to the wicked?(C)Selah
Provide justice for the needy and the fatherless;
uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute.(D)
Rescue the poor and needy;
save them from the power of the wicked.”(E)

They do not know or understand;
they wander in darkness.(F)
All the foundations of the earth are shaken.(G)

I said, “You are gods;(H)
you are all sons of the Most High.(I)
However, you will die like humans
and fall like any other ruler.”(J)

Rise up, God, judge the earth,
for all the nations belong to you.(K)

Footnotes

  1. 82:1 Or the heavenly beings, or the earthly rulers; Hb elohim

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