Psalms 82

1 A Psalm of Asaph. God has stood in the synagogue of gods, but, in their midst, he decides between gods.

A psalm of Asaph. God has taken his stand in the divine assembly: in the midst of the gods he holds judgment.

2 How long will you judge unjustly and favor the faces of sinners?

‘How long will you crookedly judge, and favour the wicked? (Selah)

3 Judge for the indigent and the orphan. Do justice to the humble and the poor.

Do right by the weak and the orphan, acquit the innocent poor.

4 Rescue the poor, and free the needy from the hand of the sinner.

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

5 They did not know and did not understand. They wander in darkness. All the foundations of the earth will be moved.

‘They have neither knowledge nor insight, in darkness they walk to and fro, while the earth’s foundations totter.

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

It was I who appointed you gods, children of the Most High all of you.

7 But you will die like men, and you will fall just like one of the princes.

Yet like mortals you will surely die, you will fall like any prince.’

8 Rise up, O God. Judge the earth. For you will inherit it with all the nations.

Arise, O God, judge the earth, for all nations are yours by inheritance.