Psalms 82

1 A Psalm of Asaph. God presides in the divine assembly; He renders judgment among the gods:

A Psalm. Of Asaph. God is in the meeting-place of God; he is judging among the gods.

2 “How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked?

How long will you go on judging falsely, having respect for the persons of evil-doers? (Selah)

3 Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; uphold the rights of the afflicted and oppressed.

Give ear to the cause of the poor and the children without fathers; let those who are troubled and in need have their rights.

4 Rescue the weak and needy; save them from the hand of the wicked.

Be the saviour of the poor and those who have nothing: take them out of the hand of the evil-doers.

5 They do not know or understand; they wander in the darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken.

They have no knowledge or sense; they go about in the dark: all the bases of the earth are moved.

6 I have said, ‘You are gods; you are all sons of the Most High.’

I said, You are gods; all of you are the sons of the Most High:

7 But like mortals you will die, and like rulers you will fall.”

But you will come to death like men, falling like one of the rulers of the earth.

8 Arise, O God, judge the earth, for all the nations are Your inheritance.

Up! O God, come as judge of the earth; for all the nations are your heritage.