1God takes his place at the head of a large gathering of leaders. He announces his decisions among them.2He says, ‘How long will you stand up for those who aren’t fair to others? How long will you show mercy to sinful people?3Stand up for the weak and for children whose fathers have died. Protect the rights of people who are poor or treated badly.4Save those who are weak and needy. Save them from the power of sinful people.5‘You leaders don’t know anything. You don’t understand anything. You are in the dark about what is right. Law and order have been destroyed all over the world.6‘I said, “You leaders are like gods. You are all children of the Most High God.”7But you will die, like mere human beings. You will die like every other leader.’8God, rise up. Judge the earth. All the nations belong to you.
Psalm 82
English Standard Version
Rescue the Weak and Needy
1A Psalm of Asaph. God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment: (1Sa 28:13; 2Ch 19:5; Ps 50:1; Ps 58:11; Ec 5:8; Isa 3:13)2“How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? (De 1:17; Pr 18:5)3Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. (Ps 10:18; Ps 41:1; Jer 22:3)4Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” (Job 29:12; Pr 24:11)5They have neither knowledge nor understanding, they walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken. (Ps 10:6; Ps 11:3; Ps 14:4; Pr 2:13; Mic 3:1)6I said, “You are gods, sons of the Most High, all of you; (Ps 82:1; Joh 10:34)7nevertheless, like men you shall die, and fall like any prince.”[1] (Job 21:32; Ps 49:12; Eze 28:2; Eze 31:14)8Arise, O God, judge the earth; for you shall inherit all the nations! (Ps 2:8; Ps 12:5; Re 11:15)