Psalm 82
A psalm of Asaph.
1God takes his place at the head of a large gathering of leaders.
He announces his decisions among them.
2He says, “How long will you stand up for those who aren’t fair to others?
How long will you show mercy to sinful people?
3Stand up for the weak and for children whose fathers have died.
Protect the rights of people who are poor or treated badly.
4Save those who are weak and needy.
Save them from the power of sinful people.
5“You leaders don’t know anything.
You don’t understand anything.
You are in the dark about what is right.
Law and order have been destroyed all over the world.
6“I said, ‘You leaders are like gods.
You are all children of the Most High God.’
7But you will die, like mere human beings.
You will die like every other leader.”
8God, rise up. Judge the earth.
All the nations belong to you.
Psalm 82
A psalm of Asaph.
1God presides in the great assembly;
he renders judgment among the ‘gods’:
2‘How long will you82:2 The Hebrew is plural. defend the unjust
and show partiality to the wicked?82:2 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.
3Defend the weak and the fatherless;
uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.
4Rescue the weak and the needy;
deliver them from the hand of the wicked.
5‘The “gods” 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.”
7But you will die like mere mortals;
you will fall like every other ruler.’
8Rise up, O God, judge the earth,
for all the nations are your inheritance.
