Psalms 82

1 A psalm for Asaph. God hath stood in the congregation of gods: and being in the midst of them he judgeth 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 accept the persons of the wicked?

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

3 Judge for the needy and fatherless: 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 deliver the needy out of the hand of the sinner.

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

5 They have not known nor understood: they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth shall be moved.

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

6 I have said: You are gods and all of you the sons of the most High.

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

7 But you like men shall die: and shall fall like one of the princes.

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

8 Arise, O God, judge thou the earth: for thou shalt inherit among all the nations.

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