Psalms 82 – Defend the Poor and Fatherless

God judges unjust rulers and calls for justice for the powerless.

Psalms 82: God Standeth in the Congregation

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.


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

\"How long will you judge unjustly, And show partiality to the wicked?\" Selah.

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

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

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

I said, \"You are gods, All of you are sons of the Most High.

Nevertheless you shall die like men, And fall like one of the rulers.\"

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

Its declaration "Ye are gods" is later quoted by Jesus in <a href="/bible/web/john/chapter-10/34">John 10:34-36</a>, even as the psalm insists these rulers will die like any other man for failing the poor and needy. <a href="/bible/web/psalms/chapter-83">Psalms 83</a> continues with a plea against Israel's enemies.