Psalms 82

1 [A Psalm by Asaph.] God presides in the assembly of God. He judges among the gods.

God gathers all the [rulers and judges who think they are] gods for a meeting in heaven; and he tells them that he has decided this:

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

“You must [RHQ] stop judging [people] unfairly; you must no longer make decisions that favor wicked [people]!

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

You must defend [people who are] poor and orphans; you must act fairly toward those who are needy and those who have no one to help them.

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

Rescue them from the power [MTY] of evil [people] [DOU]!”

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

[Those rulers] do not know or understand anything! They are very corrupt/evil, and [as a result of their corrupt/evil behavior], [it is as though] the foundation of the world is being shaken!

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

I [the all-powerful God, previously] said to them, “You think you are gods! [It is as though] you are all my sons,

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

but you will die like people do; your lives will end, like the lives of all rulers end.”

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

God, arise and judge [everyone on] [MTY] the earth, because all the people-groups belong to you!