Psalm 82

¹God stands in the assembly of El;[#tn Or “presides over.”; #tn The phrase עֲדַת אֵל (’adat ’el, “assembly of El”) appears only here in the OT. (1) Some understand “El” to refer to God himself. In this case he is pictured presiding over his own heavenly assembly. (2) Others take אֵל as a superlative here (“God stands in the great assembly”), as in Pss 36:6 and 80:10. (3) The present translation assumes this is a reference to the Canaanite high god El, who presided over the Canaanite divine assembly. (See Isa 14:13, where El’s assembly is called “the stars of El.”) In the Ugaritic myths the phrase ’dt ’ilm refers to the “assembly of the gods,” who congregate in King Kirtu’s house, where Baal asks El to bless Kirtu’s house (see G. R. Driver, Canaanite Myths and Legends, 91). If the Canaanite divine assembly is referred to here in Ps 82:1, then the psalm must be understood as a bold polemic against Canaanite religion. Israel’s God invades El’s assembly, denounces its gods as failing to uphold justice, and announces their coming demise. For an interpretation of the psalm along these lines, see W. VanGemeren, “Psalms,” EBC 5:533-36.]

in the midst of the gods he renders judgment.

²He says, “How long will you make unjust legal decisions[#tn The words “he says” are supplied in the translation to indicate that the following speech is God’s judicial decision (see v. 1).]

and show favoritism to the wicked? (Selah)

³Defend the cause of the poor and the fatherless![#tn The Hebrew noun יָתוֹם (yatom) refers to one who has lost his father (not necessarily his mother, see Ps 109:9). Because they were so vulnerable and were frequently exploited, fatherless children are often mentioned as epitomizing the oppressed (see Pss 10:14; 68:5; 94:6; 146:9; as well as Job 6:27; 22:9; 24:3, 9; 29:12; 31:17, 21).]

Vindicate the oppressed and suffering!

⁴Rescue the poor and needy!

Deliver them from the power of the wicked!

⁵They neither know nor understand.[#sn Having addressed the defendants, God now speaks to those who are observing the trial, referring to the gods in the third person.]

They stumble around in the dark,

while all the foundations of the earth crumble.

⁶I thought, ‘You are gods;[#tn Heb “said.”]

all of you are sons of the Most High.’

⁷Yet you will die like mortals;[#tn Heb “men.” The point in the context is mortality, however, not maleness.sn You will die like mortals. For the concept of a god losing immortality and dying, see Isa 14:12-15, which alludes to a pagan myth in which the petty god “Shining One, son of the Dawn,” is hurled into Sheol for his hubris.]

you will fall like all the other rulers.”

⁸Rise up, O God, and execute judgment on the earth!

For you own all the nations.