Psalms 82

Psalm 82

A Plea for Justice

1God has taken his place in the divine council;[#Ex 21.6; Isa 3.13]

in the midst of the gods he holds judgment:

2“How long will you judge unjustly[#Deut 1.17; Ps 58.1; Prov 18.5]

and show partiality to the wicked? Selah

3Give justice to the weak and the orphan;[#Deut 24.17]

maintain the right of the lowly and the destitute.

4Rescue the weak and the needy;[#Job 29.12]

deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”

5They have neither knowledge nor understanding;[#Ps 11.3; Mic 3.1]

they walk around in darkness;

all the foundations of the earth are shaken.

6I say, “You are gods,[#Ps 89.26; Jn 10.34]

children of the Most High, all of you;

7nevertheless, you shall die like mortals[#Ps 49.12; Ezek 31.14]

and fall like any prince.”

8Rise up, O God, judge the earth,[#Ps 2.8; 12.5; Mic 7.2, 7; Rev 11.15]

for all the nations belong to you!

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition, copyright © 2021 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Published by: National Council of the Churches of Christ