Psalm 82 (NIV)

Psalm 82

A psalm of Asaph.

1God presides in the great assembly;

he renders judgment among the “gods”:

2“How long will you82:2 The Hebrew is plural. defend the unjust

and show partiality to the wicked?82:2 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.

3Defend the weak and the fatherless;

uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.

4Rescue the weak and the needy;

deliver them from the hand of the wicked.

5“The ‘gods’ know nothing, they understand nothing.

They walk about in darkness;

all the foundations of the earth are shaken.

6“I said, ‘You are “gods”;

you are all sons of the Most High.’

7But you will die like mere mortals;

you will fall like every other ruler.”

8Rise up, O God, judge the earth,

for all the nations are your inheritance.

Understand Psalm 82

Walk through Psalm 82 verse by verse, then read what three commentaries say about the chapter. The explanations are written for new readers.