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A Psalm by Asaph.

82 God presides in the great assembly.
    He judges among the gods.
“How long will you judge unjustly,
    and show partiality to the wicked?” Selah.

“Defend the weak, the poor, and the fatherless.
    Maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed.
Rescue the weak and needy.
    Deliver them out of the hand of the wicked.”
They don’t know, neither do they understand.
    They walk back and forth in darkness.
    All the foundations of the earth are shaken.
I said, “You are gods,
    all of you are sons of the Most High.
Nevertheless you shall die like men,
    and fall like one of the rulers.”
Arise, God, judge the earth,
    for you inherit all of the nations.

Psalm 82

A Plea for Justice

A Psalm of Asaph.

God has taken his place in the divine council;
    in the midst of the gods he holds judgment:(A)
“How long will you judge unjustly
    and show partiality to the wicked? Selah(B)
Give justice to the weak and the orphan;
    maintain the right of the lowly and the destitute.(C)
Rescue the weak and the needy;
    deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”(D)

They have neither knowledge nor understanding;
    they walk around in darkness;
    all the foundations of the earth are shaken.(E)

I say, “You are gods,
    children of the Most High, all of you;(F)
nevertheless, you shall die like mortals
    and fall like any prince.”[a](G)

Rise up, O God, judge the earth,
    for all the nations belong to you!(H)

Footnotes

  1. 82.7 Or fall as one man, O princes