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A Cry for Justice

A psalm of Asaph.

82 God is in charge of the great meeting;
    he judges among the “gods.”
He says, “How long will you defend evil people?
    How long will you show greater kindness to the wicked? Selah
Defend the weak and the orphans;
    defend the rights of the poor and suffering.
Save the weak and helpless;
    free them from the power of the wicked.

“You know nothing. You don’t understand.
You walk in the dark,
    while the world is falling apart.
I said, ‘You are “gods.”
    You are all sons of God Most High.’
But you will die like any other person;
    you will fall like all the leaders.”

God, come and judge the earth,
    because you own all the nations.

Psalm 82

A psalm of Asaph.

God presides in the great assembly;
    he renders judgment(A) among the “gods”:(B)

“How long will you[a] defend the unjust
    and show partiality(C) to the wicked?[b](D)
Defend the weak and the fatherless;(E)
    uphold the cause of the poor(F) and the oppressed.
Rescue the weak and the needy;
    deliver them from the hand of the wicked.

“The ‘gods’ know nothing, they understand nothing.(G)
    They walk about in darkness;(H)
    all the foundations(I) of the earth are shaken.

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

Rise up,(L) O God, judge(M) the earth,
    for all the nations are your inheritance.(N)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 82:2 The Hebrew is plural.
  2. Psalm 82:2 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.