#psalm 82

God Presides in the Divine Assembly

1 God presides in the great assembly; he renders judgment among the ‘gods’:

2 ‘How long will you defend the unjust and show partiality to the wicked? 3 Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. 4 Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.

5 ‘The “gods” know nothing, they understand nothing. They walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken.

6 ‘I said, “You are ‘gods’; you are all sons of the Most High.” 7 But you will die like mere mortals; you will fall like every other ruler.’

8 Rise up, O God, judge the earth, for all the nations are your inheritance. — Psalm 82 | New International Version - UK (NIVUK) Holy Bible, New International Version® Anglicized, NIV® Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide. Cross References: Exodus 12:12; Exodus 21:6; Deuteronomy 1:17; Deuteronomy 24:17; Job 21:3; Job 29:12; Psalm 2:8; Psalm 8:5; Psalm 10:18; Psalm 11:3; Psalm 14:4; Psalm 41:1; Psalm 58:1; Ezekiel 28:2; Ezekiel 31:14; John 10:34; Revelation 11:5

“God [’elohiym] standeth in the congregation of the mighty [’el];  He judgeth [yishpot] among the gods [’elohiym].  How long will ye judge unjustly,  And accept the persons of the wicked [reshayim]?  Selah. 

Defend the poor [dal] and fatherless [weyatowm]:  Do justice [hasdiqu] to the afflicted [’ani] and needy [waras].  Deliver the poor [dal] and needy [we’ebyown];  Rid them out of the hand of the wicked [reshayim].  They know not, neither will they understand;  They walk on in darkness [bahashekah]:  All the foundations of the earth [’erets] are out of course. 

I have said, Ye are gods [’elohiym];  And all of you are children of the Most High [’elyown].  But ye shall die like men [’adam],  And fall like one of the princes. 

Arise, O God [’elohiym], judge [shapetah] the earth [ha’erets]:  For thou shalt inherit all nations [haggoyim].” 

A Psalm of Asaph.

1 God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; He judgeth among the gods.

2 How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.

3 Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.

4 Deliver the poor and needy: rid  them  out of the hand of the wicked.

5 They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course.

6 I have said, “Ye  are  gods; and all of you  are  children of the most High.”

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

The Morning Devotional: Psalm 82 Prayer: Our God, we live in a sin-wrecked world, and we witness the oppression of the poor and needy by wicked and ruthless people. They seek their own way. They have no understanding of your mercy and kindness. They do not fear you. They live as though there is no justice on this earth or in the life to come. We know that you stand as Judge over them, but…

The Daily Prayer: Psalm 82 Season 11 | Edition 55 June 16, 2026 SUMMARY: Psalm 82 presents a powerful call to divine justice, confronting the moral failure of unjust rulers who exploit the vulnerable while claiming authority. The psalmist, speaking from the perspective of divine judgment, rebukes those in power who pervert justice, emphasizing that though they may appear to reign unchecked, they…

God has taken his place in the divine council;     in the midst of the gods he holds judgment: 2 “How long will you judge unjustly     and show partiality to the wicked? Selah 3 Give justice to the weak and the fatherless;     maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. 4 Rescue the weak and the needy;     deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”

5 They have neither knowledge nor understanding,     they walk about in darkness;     all the foundations of the earth are shaken.

6 I said, “You are gods,     sons of the Most High, all of you; 7 nevertheless, like men you shall die,     and fall like any prince.”[a]

8 Arise, O God, judge the earth;     for you shall inherit all the nations!