Psalm 82

Unjust Judgments Rebuked.

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God stands in the divine assembly;

He judges among the gods (divine beings).
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How long will you judge unjustly
And show partiality to the wicked? Selah.

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Vindicate the weak and fatherless;
Do justice and maintain the rights of the afflicted and destitute.

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

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The rulers do not know nor do they understand;
They walk on in the darkness [of complacent satisfaction];
All the foundations of the earth [the fundamental principles of the administration of justice] are shaken.

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I said, “You are ^(a)gods;
Indeed, all of you are sons of the Most High.^(A)

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“Nevertheless you will die like men
And fall like any one of the princes.”

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

Footnotes:

a. Psalm 82:6: Most of the ancient rabbis understood the idea of “gods” referring to judges, but some applied vv 6, 7 to the Israelites at Sinai and maintained that they would have become immortal as a result of accepting the Law, if only they had not committed the sin of the golden calf.

Cross references:

A. Psalm 82:6: Genesis 6:1-4; John 10:34-36; Romans 13:1; Romans 13:2

B. Psalm 82:8: Matthew 28:18-20; Revelation 11:15