Psalm
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Psalm 82

Unjust Judgments Rebuked.

A Psalm of Asaph.

1God stands in the divine assembly;
He judges among the gods (divine beings).
2 
How long will you judge unjustly
And show partiality to the wicked? Selah.
3 
Vindicate the weak and fatherless;
Do justice and maintain the rights of the afflicted and destitute.
4 
Rescue the weak and needy;
Rescue them from the hand of the wicked.

5 
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.
6 
I said, “You are [a]gods;
Indeed, all of you are sons of the Most High.
7 
“Nevertheless you will die like men
And fall like any one of the princes.”
8 
Arise, O God, judge the earth!
For to You belong all the nations.

Footnotes

  1. 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.
Psalm 82