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Psalm 82

A Psalm by Asaph.

God presides in the great assembly. He judges among the gods.

Psalm 82:1 WEB

“How long will you judge unjustly, and show partiality to the wicked?” Selah.

Psalm 82:2 WEB

“Defend the weak, the poor, and the fatherless. Maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed.

Psalm 82:3 WEB

Rescue the weak and needy. Deliver them out of the hand of the wicked.”

Psalm 82:4 WEB

They don’t know, neither do they understand. They walk back and forth in darkness. All the foundations of the earth are shaken.

Psalm 82:5 WEB

I said, “You are gods, all of you are sons of the Most High.

Psalm 82:6 WEB

Nevertheless you shall die like men, and fall like one of the rulers.”

Psalm 82:7 WEB

Arise, God, judge the earth, for you inherit all of the nations.

Psalm 82:8 WEB

End of Psalm 82

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What is Psalm 82 about?

Psalm 82, a psalm of Asaph, pictures God standing in a great assembly and judging "the gods." Many readers understand these "gods" as human rulers and judges, who were given authority to act for God but were using it unjustly. God rebukes them for favoring the wicked and commands them to defend the poor, the fatherless and the needy. In verse 6 he says, "Ye are gods," yet warns that they will die like men. Jesus quoted this verse in John 10:34. The psalm ends with a prayer for God himself to arise and judge the earth justly.

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