Psalms 82

1 “A psalm of Asaph.” God standeth in God's assembly, He judgeth in the midst of the 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 ye judge unjustly, And favor the cause of the wicked? (Pause)

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

3 Defend the poor and the fatherless; Do justice to the wretched and the needy!

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

4 Deliver the poor and the destitute; Save them from the hand of the wicked!

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

5 They are without knowledge and without understanding; They walk in darkness: Therefore all the foundations of the land are shaken.

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

6 I have said, Ye are gods, And all of you children of the Most High;

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

7 But ye shall die like men, And fall like the rest of the princes.”

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

8 Arise, O God! judge the earth! For all the nations are thy possession.

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