Psalms

Chapter 82

God Judges the Unjust Rulers

God stands in the assembly of the mighty and judges between them, condemning those who judge unjustly and favor the wicked. The psalmist calls on these judges to defend the poor, fatherless, afflicted, and needy, and to rescue them from the wicked. Because they neither understand nor act in justice, the foundations of the earth are disrupted. Though God has called them gods and children of the Most High, they shall die like men and fall like princes.

God's judgmentJustice for the poorUnjust ruleDivine authority

¹God 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.

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