Psalm 82

Psalm 82

A psalm of Asaph.

1God presides over heaven’s court;
    he pronounces judgment on the heavenly beings:
2“How long will you hand down unjust decisions
    by favoring the wicked? Interlude

3“Give justice to the poor and the orphan;
    uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute.
4Rescue the poor and helpless;
    deliver them from the grasp of evil people.
5But these oppressors know nothing;
    they are so ignorant!
They wander about in darkness,
    while the whole world is shaken to the core.
6I say, ‘You are gods;
    you are all children of the Most High.
7But you will die like mere mortals
    and fall like every other ruler.’”

8Rise up, O God, and judge the earth,
    for all the nations belong to you.