Psalms 82

1 A Psalm. Of Asaph. God is in the meeting-place of God; he is judging among 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 you go on judging falsely, having respect for the persons of evil-doers? (Selah)

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

3 Give ear to the cause of the poor and the children without fathers; let those who are troubled and in need have their rights.

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

4 Be the saviour of the poor and those who have nothing: take them out of the hand of the evil-doers.

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

5 They have no knowledge or sense; they go about in the dark: all the bases of the earth are moved.

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

6 I said, You are gods; all of you are the sons of the Most High:

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

7 But you will come to death like men, falling like one of the rulers of the earth.

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

8 Up! O God, come as judge of the earth; for all the nations are your heritage.

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