Psalms 82

1 A psalm of Asaph. God has taken his stand in the divine assembly: in the midst of the gods he holds judgment.

A Psalm of Asaph. God standeth in the congregation of God; he judgeth among the gods.

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

How long will ye judge unjustly, and respect the persons of the wicked? (Selah)

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

Judge the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and destitute.

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

Rescue the poor and needy: deliver them out of the hand of the wicked.

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

They know not, neither do they understand; they walk to and fro in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are moved.

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

I said, Ye are gods, and all of you sons of the Most High.

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

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

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

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