Tap any verse number for what that verse means.
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.
Understand This
Psalm 82, explained
What Psalm 82 is saying
One of the most theologically provocative psalms, Psalm 82 depicts God presiding over the divine council (adat-el) and pronouncing judgment on the elohim—divine beings or human judges—for failing to defend the weak, the fatherless, and the oppressed. The shocking verdict: 'You are gods (elohim), but you will die like men.' The psalm concludes with a plea for God to rise and judge the earth Himself.
The background behind it
The divine council motif has parallels in Ugaritic literature and other ancient Near Eastern texts. Scholarly debate centers on whether the elohim are angelic beings, pagan deities being demythologized, or human judges bearing divine titles. Jesus cites this psalm in John 10:34 in his defense against blasphemy charges.
Themes running underneath
The psalm establishes that all authority—heavenly and earthly—is accountable to the supreme God for justice. The specific charges involve failure to protect the vulnerable: the weak, orphan, afflicted, and destitute. The death sentence on corrupt powers declares that divine privilege without just action forfeits divine status.
Why it still matters
Psalm 82 makes justice for the vulnerable the defining criterion of legitimate authority. Any power structure—religious, political, or cosmic—that fails to protect the weak stands under divine judgment.
Scripture text: King James Version — public domain.