1 PSALM 82 Unjust Judgments Rebuked. A Psalm of Asaph. God stands in the divine assembly;He judges among the gods (divine beings).
2 How long will you judge unjustlyAnd show partiality to the wicked? Selah.
3 Vindicate the weak and fatherless;Do justiceandmaintain the rights of the afflicted and destitute.
4 Rescue the weak and needy;Rescue them from the hand of the wicked.
5 The rulers do not know nor do they understand;They walk on in the darkness [of complacent satisfaction];All the foundations of the earth [the fundamental principles of the administration of justice] are shaken.
6 I said, “You areMost of the ancient rabbis understood the idea of “gods” referring to judges, but some applied vv 6, 7 to the Israelites at Sinai and maintained that they would have become immortal as a result of accepting the Law, if only they had not committed the sin of the golden calf.gods;Indeed, all of you are sons of the Most High.
7 Nevertheless you will die like menAnd fall like any one of the princes.”
8 Arise, O God, judge the earth!For to You belong all the nations.