Psalm 82

A psalm of Asaph.

God presides in the great assembly;
    he renders judgment(A) among the “gods”:(B)

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

“The ‘gods’ know nothing, they understand nothing.(G)
    They walk about in darkness;(H)
    all the foundations(I) of the earth are shaken.

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

Rise up,(L) O God, judge(M) the earth,
    for all the nations are your inheritance.(N)

Footnotes

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

This is a psalm that Asaph wrote.

God and the gods[a]

82 God calls the powerful rulers to meet in heaven.
    He sits on his throne to judge them.
He asks them, ‘How long will you continue to judge people
    in a way that is not fair?
How long will you say that wicked people are right?
Selah.
You must help poor people and those with no family
    to receive justice.
Help those who have pain and trouble
    to receive the help that they need.
Rescue weak and helpless people,
    so that evil people cannot hurt them.
The powerful leaders know nothing
    and they understand nothing.
They walk about in a dark place.
At the same time the foundation of the earth shakes![b]
I said, “You are gods.
    You are all sons of the Most High God.
But you will die, as all people die.
    You will come to an end, like all other rulers.” ’[c]

God, now do something!
Judge all the nations of the earth.
    For they all belong to you.

Footnotes

  1. 82:1 This psalm tells about God, who is leading a meeting in heaven. He is telling the powerful leaders how they should rule. These leaders may be rulers on earth, or they may be spiritual beings like angels. Because they are powerful, he calls them ‘gods’.
  2. 82:5 This tells us that the leaders do not know what they are doing. They are like people who cannot see their way in the dark. Because they do not rule well, it is like the whole earth is shaking. There is no justice anywhere.
  3. 82:7 The rulers thought that they were very powerful and that they were serving God. But they will die, as all people and rulers have to die one day.

Dios, juez supremo

Salmo de Asaf.

82 Dios ocupa su lugar[a](A) en su congregación[b];
Él juzga(B) en medio de los jueces[c](C).
¿Hasta cuándo juzgaréis injustamente(D)
y favoreceréis a los impíos(E)? (Selah[d])
Defended[e](F) al débil y al huérfano;
haced justicia al afligido y al menesteroso.
Rescatad al débil y al necesitado(G);
libradlos de la mano de los impíos.

No saben ni entienden(H);
caminan en tinieblas(I);
son sacudidos todos los cimientos de la tierra(J).
Yo dije: Vosotros sois dioses(K),
y todos sois hijos del Altísimo(L).
Sin embargo, como hombres moriréis(M),
y caeréis como uno de los príncipes(N).
¡Levántate(O), oh Dios, juzga la tierra(P)!
Porque tú posees todas las naciones(Q).

Footnotes

  1. Salmos 82:1 O, Dios se levanta
  2. Salmos 82:1 Lit., la congregación de Dios
  3. Salmos 82:1 Lit., dioses
  4. Salmos 82:2 Posiblemente, Pausa, Crescendo, o Interludio
  5. Salmos 82:3 O, Vindicad