Psalm 82

A psalm of Asaph.

    1God presides over heaven’s court;

       he pronounces judgment on the heavenly beings:

    2“How long will you hand down unjust decisions

       by favoring the wicked?

Interlude

    3“Give justice to the poor and the orphan;

       uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute.

    4Rescue the poor and helpless;

       deliver them from the grasp of evil people.

    5But these oppressors know nothing;

       they are so ignorant!

   They wander about in darkness,

       while the whole world is shaken to the core.

    6I say, ‘You are gods;

       you are all children of the Most High.

    7But you will die like mere mortals

       and fall like every other ruler.’”

    8Rise up, O God, and judge the earth,

       for all the nations belong to you.