Psalms 82

1 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:

“A psalm of Assaph.” God standeth in the congregation of God, in the midst of judges doth he judge.

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

How long will ye judge unjustly, and treat with favor the face of the wicked? (Selah)

3 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.

Judge uprightly the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and indigent.

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

Release the poor and needy: deliver them out of the power of the wicked.

5 [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!

They know not, nor will they understand; in darkness do they walk on: all the foundations of the earth are moved.

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

I have indeed said, Ye are gods; and children of the most High are all of you.

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

But verily like men shall ye die, and like one of the princes shall ye fall.

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

Arise, O God, judge the earth; for thou wilt possess all the nations.