Add parallel Print Page Options

Psalm 82

A Psalm of Asaph.

God stands in the assembly [of the representatives] of God; in the midst of the magistrates or judges He gives judgment [as] among the gods.

How long will you [magistrates or judges] judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!

Do justice to the weak (poor) and fatherless; maintain the rights of the afflicted and needy.

Deliver the poor and needy; rescue them out of the hand of the wicked.

[The magistrates and judges] know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in the darkness [of complacent satisfaction]; all the foundations of the earth [the fundamental principles upon which rests the administration of justice] are shaking.

I said, You are gods [since you judge on My behalf, as My representatives]; indeed, all of you are children of the Most High.(A)

But you shall die as men and fall as one of the princes.

Arise, O God, judge the earth! For to You belong all the nations.(B)

82 God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods.

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

Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.

Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.

They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course.

I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.

But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.

Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations.

Rescue the Weak and Needy

A Psalm of (A)Asaph.

82 (B)God (C)has taken his place in the divine council;
    in the midst of (D)the gods he (E)holds judgment:
“How long will you judge unjustly
    and (F)show partiality to (G)the wicked? Selah
(H)Give justice to (I)the weak and the fatherless;
    (J)maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute.
(K)Rescue the weak and the needy;
    (L)deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”

(M)They have neither knowledge nor understanding,
    (N)they walk about in darkness;
    (O)all the foundations of the earth are (P)shaken.

(Q)I said, “You are gods,
    sons of the Most High, all of you;
nevertheless, like men (R)you shall die,
    and fall like any prince.”[a]

(S)Arise, O God, judge the earth;
    for you shall (T)inherit all the nations!

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 82:7 Or fall as one man, O princes