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

82 God stands in the assembly of gods. He judges among gods.

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

Do right to the poor and fatherless. Do justice to the poor and needy.

Deliver the poor and needy. Save them from the hand of the wicked.

They do not know, and understand nothing. They walk in darkness. All the foundations of the Earth are moved.

I have said, “You are gods. And you all are children of the Most High.

“But you shall die as a man. And you, Princes, shall fall like others.”

O God, arise! Judge the Earth! For You shall inherit all nations. A song, or Psalm, committed to Asaph