Psalms 82 – Defend the Poor and Fatherless
God judges unjust rulers and calls for justice for the powerless.
This chapter of the Psalms overview pictures God standing in judgment over corrupt rulers, addressed as "gods" because of their authority, following the warning about unheeded instruction in Psalms 81.
A Psalme committed to Aspah. God standeth in the assemblie of gods: hee iudgeth among gods.
How long wil ye iudge vniustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.
Doe right to the poore and fatherlesse: doe iustice to the poore and needie.
Deliuer the poore and needie: saue them from the hand of the wicked.
They knowe not and vnderstand nothing: they walke in darkenes, albeit all the foundations of the earth be mooued.
I haue said, Ye are gods, and ye all are children of the most High.
But ye shall die as a man, and yee princes, shall fall like others.
O God, arise, therefore iudge thou the earth: for thou shalt inherite all nations.