Psalm 82
An exhortation to judges. · The doom of evil rulers.
1A Psalm of Asaph. God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods. 2How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah. 3Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. 4Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked. 5They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course.
6I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High. 7But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes. 8Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations.
King James Version (1769) · public domain
1A Psalm of Asaph. God presides in the divine assembly; He renders judgment among the gods: 2“How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Selah 3Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; uphold the rights of the afflicted and oppressed. 4Rescue the weak and needy; save them from the hand of the wicked. 5They do not know or understand; they wander in the darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken.
6I have said, ‘You are gods; you are all sons of the Most High.’ 7But like mortals you will die, and like rulers you will fall.” 8Arise, O God, judge the earth, for all the nations are Your inheritance.
Berean Standard Bible · public domain
1A Psalm by Asaph. God presides in the great assembly. He judges among the gods. 2“How long will you judge unjustly, and show partiality to the wicked?” Selah. 3“Defend the weak, the poor, and the fatherless. Maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. 4Rescue the weak and needy. Deliver them out of the hand of the wicked.” 5They don’t know, neither do they understand. They walk back and forth in darkness. All the foundations of the earth are shaken.
6I said, “You are gods, all of you are sons of the Most High. 7Nevertheless you shall die like men, and fall like one of the rulers.” 8Arise, God, judge the earth, for you inherit all of the nations.
World English Bible · public domain
Psalm 82 commentary
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706), public domain.
Verses 1-5
Verses 6-8
Key verses in Psalm 82
- Psalms 82:3
Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.
- Psalms 82:4
Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.
- Psalms 82:1
A Psalm of Asaph. God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods.
- Psalms 82:6
I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.
- Psalms 82:2
How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.