Psalms 82

1 A Psalm by Asaph. God presides in the great assembly. He judges among the gods.

— A Psalm of Asaph. God hath stood in the company of God, In the midst God doth judge.

2 “How long will you judge unjustly, and show partiality to the wicked?” (Selah)

Till when do ye judge perversely? And the face of the wicked lift up? (Selah)

3 “Defend the weak, the poor, and the fatherless. Maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed.

Judge ye the weak and fatherless, The afflicted and the poor declare righteous.

4 Rescue the weak and needy. Deliver them out of the hand of the wicked.”

Let the weak and needy escape, From the hand of the wicked deliver them.

5 They do not know, neither do they understand. They walk back and forth in darkness. All the foundations of the earth are shaken.

They knew not, nor do they understand, In darkness they walk habitually, Moved are all the foundations of earth.

6 I said, “You are gods, all of you are sons of the Most High.

I — I have said, 'Gods ye [are], And sons of the Most High — all of you,

7 Nevertheless you shall die like men, and fall like one of the rulers.”

But as man ye die, and as one of the heads ye fall,

8 Arise, God, judge the earth, for you inherit all of the nations.

Rise, O God, judge the earth, For Thou hast inheritance among all the nations!