Add parallel Print Page Options

God’s Rule

82 God takes His stand in the great meeting of His people. He judges among the rulers. How long will you rulers be wrong in how you judge? How long will you show favor to the sinful? Do the right thing for the weak and those without a father. Stand up for the rights of those who are suffering and in need. Save the weak and those in need. Set them free from the hand of the sinful.

They know nothing; they understand nothing. They walk around in the dark. All that the earth is built upon is shaking. I said, “You are gods. You are all sons of the Most High. But you will die like men, and fall like one of the princes.”

Rise up, O God! Say who is guilty or not guilty upon the earth! For all the nations belong to You.

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.