Psalms 82

1 A Psalm of Asaph. God has stood in the synagogue of gods, but, in their midst, he decides between gods.

A Psalm. Of Asaph. God is in the meeting-place of God; he is judging among the gods.

2 How long will you judge unjustly and favor the faces of sinners?

How long will you go on judging falsely, having respect for the persons of evil-doers? (Selah)

3 Judge for the indigent and the orphan. Do justice to the humble and the poor.

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

4 Rescue the poor, and free the needy from the hand of the sinner.

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

5 They did not know and did not understand. They wander in darkness. All the foundations of the earth will be moved.

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

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

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

7 But you will die like men, and you will fall just like one of the princes.

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

8 Rise up, O God. Judge the earth. For you will inherit it with all the nations.

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