Psalms — Chapter 82

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

8Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations.

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

2How long will ye judge unjustly, And respect the persons of the wicked? Selah

3Judge the poor and fatherless: Do justice to the afflicted and destitute.

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

5They know not, neither do they understand; They walk to and fro in darkness: All the foundations of the earth are shaken.

6I said, Ye are gods, And all of you sons of the Most High.

7Nevertheless ye shall die like men, And fall like one of the princes.

8Arise, O God, judge the earth; For thou shalt inherit all the nations. Psalm 83 A song. A Psalm of Asaph.

1A psalm of Asaph. God stands in the assembly of El; in the midst of the gods he renders judgment.

2He says, “How long will you make unjust legal decisions and show favoritism to the wicked? (Selah)

3Defend the cause of the poor and the fatherless. Vindicate the oppressed and suffering.

4Rescue the poor and needy. Deliver them from the power of the wicked.

5They neither know nor understand. They stumble around in the dark, while all the foundations of the earth crumble.

6I thought, ‘You are gods; all of you are sons of the Most High.’

7Yet you will die like mortals; you will fall like all the other rulers.”

8Rise up, O God, and execute judgment on the earth! For you own all the nations.

1God presides in the great assembly. He judges among the gods.

2“How long will you judge unjustly, and show partiality to the wicked?” Selah.

3“Defend the weak, the poor, and the fatherless. Maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed.

4Rescue the weak and needy. Deliver them out of the hand of the wicked.”

5They don’t know, neither do they understand. They walk back and forth in darkness. All the foundations of the earth are shaken.

6I said, “You are gods, all of you are sons of the Most High.

7Nevertheless you shall die like men, and fall like one of the rulers.”

8Arise, God, judge the earth, for you inherit all of the nations.

Summary
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
Videos
Reflection

Summary

A prophetic psalm — God stands in the divine assembly judging the 'gods' (unjust rulers/judges): 'How long will ye judge unjustly?' They are told 'ye shall die like men'; God is called to arise and judge the earth.

Authorship & Background

Author: Multiple authors — primarily David (73 psalms attributed), plus Asaph (12), Sons of Korah (11), Solomon (2), Moses (1), Heman (1), Ethan (1), and anonymous. The Psalter was compiled over approximately 1000 years and served as Israel's hymnal and prayer book. The book is divided into five 'books' (1-41, 42-72, 73-89, 90-106, 107-150), paralleling the five books of Moses. Key themes: worship, lament, praise, trust, kingship, creation, wisdom, Messianic prophecy, and the full range of human emotion brought before God.
Classification: Prophetic / Judgment Psalm Attributed Author: Asaph Key Themes: God judging unjust judges, human rulers as "gods," defense of the weak, the foundations of earth shaken by injustice, mortality of corrupt authorities, God inheriting all nations
Historical Context: This brief but powerful psalm depicts a divine courtroom scene: God stands in the "congregation of the mighty" (divine council) and pronounces judgment on the "gods" — human rulers or judges who have perverted justice. Jesus quotes v.6 in John 10:34 ("Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?") to defend His own divine claims. The "gods" (elohim) here refers either to human judges who represent God's authority on earth (as in Exodus 21:6; 22:8-9), or to angelic beings assigned to nations (as in Deuteronomy 32:8 LXX). Either interpretation yields the same message: those given divine authority who misuse it will be judged by the Supreme God.
Structure:
  • God Stands in Judgment (v.1)
  • Accusation: Unjust Judging (v.2)
  • Command: Defend the Vulnerable (vv.3-4)
  • Verdict: Willful Ignorance Shakes the Earth (v.5)
  • Sentence: You Are Gods but Will Die Like Men (vv.6-7)
  • Prayer: Arise, O God (v.8)

Map & Geography

  • No specific geographic locations are referenced in this chapter.

Videos

The Bible Project — Psalms Overview

Reflection

  • 1. Authority exists to serve the vulnerable (vv.3-4). Any authority — governmental, ecclesial, familial — that does not defend the weak has betrayed its purpose. Leadership is measured by its protection of the powerless.
  • 2. Injustice shakes creation's foundations (v.5). When rulers pervert justice, it's not just a political problem — it's a cosmic one. The world itself becomes unstable. Justice is foundational to reality.
  • 3. Human authority is delegated and accountable (vv.6-7). "You are gods" — but you will die like men. No human authority is ultimate. Every ruler answers to the Supreme Ruler. Power without accountability is an illusion.
  • 4. When human justice fails, cry for divine justice (v.8). "Arise, O God, judge the earth." When courts are corrupt and leaders are unjust, the final appeal is to God Himself. He will judge what humans will not.