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God the Supreme Ruler[a]

82 God presides in the heavenly council;
    in the assembly of the gods he gives his decision:
“You must stop judging unjustly;
    you must no longer be partial to the wicked!
Defend the rights of the poor and the orphans;
    be fair to the needy and the helpless.
Rescue them from the power of evil people.

“How ignorant you are! How stupid!
    You are completely corrupt,
    and justice has disappeared from the world.
(A)‘You are gods,’ I said;
    ‘all of you are children of the Most High.’
But you will die like mortals;
    your life will end like that of any prince.”

Come, O God, and rule the world;
    all the nations are yours.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 82:1 HEBREW TITLE: A psalm by Asaph.

Psalm 82

A psalm of Asaph.

God presides in the great assembly;
    he renders judgment(A) among the “gods”:(B)

“How long will you[a] defend the unjust
    and show partiality(C) to the wicked?[b](D)
Defend the weak and the fatherless;(E)
    uphold the cause of the poor(F) and the oppressed.
Rescue the weak and the needy;
    deliver them from the hand of the wicked.

“The ‘gods’ know nothing, they understand nothing.(G)
    They walk about in darkness;(H)
    all the foundations(I) of the earth are shaken.

“I said, ‘You are “gods”;(J)
    you are all sons of the Most High.’
But you will die(K) like mere mortals;
    you will fall like every other ruler.”

Rise up,(L) O God, judge(M) the earth,
    for all the nations are your inheritance.(N)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 82:2 The Hebrew is plural.
  2. Psalm 82:2 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.

82 God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods.

How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.

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

Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.

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

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

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

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