82
Unjust Judgments Rebuked.
A Psalm of Asaph.
God stands in the divine assembly;
He judges among the gods (divine beings).
How long will you judge unjustly
And show partiality to the wicked? Selah.
Vindicate the weak and fatherless;
Do justice and maintain the rights of the afflicted and destitute.
Rescue the weak and needy;
Rescue them from the hand of the wicked.
 
The rulers do not know nor do they understand;
They walk on in the darkness [of complacent satisfaction];
All the foundations of the earth [the fundamental principles of the administration of justice] are shaken.
I said, “You are *gods;
Indeed, all of you are sons of the Most High. [Gen 6:1-4; John 10:34-36; Rom 13:1, 2]
“Nevertheless you will die like men
And fall like any one of the princes.”
Arise, O God, judge the earth!
For to You belong all the nations. [Matt 28:18-20; Rev 11:15]
* 82:6 Most of the ancient rabbis understood the idea of “gods” referring to judges, but some applied vv 6, 7 to the Israelites at Sinai and maintained that they would have become immortal as a result of accepting the Law, if only they had not committed the sin of the golden calf.