Psalms 82

1 A Psalm of Asaph. God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth 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 ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? (Selah)

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

3 Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.

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 Deliver the poor and needy: deliver them from the hand of the wicked.

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

5 They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course.

[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 have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children 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 But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.

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

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

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