Psalm 82

Psalm 82

A psalm of Asaph.

1 God presides over heaven’s court;
he pronounces judgment on the heavenly beings:2 “How long will you hand down unjust decisions
by favoring the wicked?
Interlude3 “Give justice to the poor and the orphan;
uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute.4 Rescue the poor and helpless;
deliver them from the grasp of evil people.5 But these oppressors know nothing;
they are so ignorant!
They wander about in darkness,
while the whole world is shaken to the core.6 I say, ‘You are gods;
you are all children of the Most High.7 But you will die like mere mortals
and fall like every other ruler.’”8 Rise up, O God, and judge the earth,
for all the nations belong to you.

Psalm 82

A psalm of Asaph.

1 God presides in the great assembly;
he gives judgment among the “gods”:

2 “How long will you defend the unjust
and show partiality to the wicked?
Selah

3 Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless;
maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed.

4 Rescue the weak and needy;
deliver them from the hand of the wicked.

5 “They know nothing, they understand nothing.
They walk about in darkness;
all the foundations of the earth are shaken.

6 “I said, ‘You are “gods”;
you are all sons of the Most High.’

7 But you will die like mere men;
you will fall like every other ruler.”

8 Rise up, O God, judge the earth,
for all the nations are your inheritance.