Psalm 82:1-6

Rescue the Weak and Needy

A Psalm of Asaph.

1
m God n has taken his place in the divine council;
in the midst of p the gods he q holds judgment:
 2 "How long will you judge unjustly
and r show partiality to s the wicked? Selah
 3 t Give justice to u the weak and the fatherless;
v maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute.
 4 w Rescue the weak and the needy;
x deliver them from the hand of the wicked."

5 y They have neither knowledge nor understanding,
z they walk about in darkness;
a all the foundations of the earth are b shaken.

6 c I said, "You are gods,
sons of the Most High, all of you;

  1. Cross References
    Psalms 50:1
    The Mighty One, God the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting.
  2. Cross References
    2 Chronicles 19:5 - 6
    He appointed judges in the land in all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city.
    Ecclesiastes 5:8
    If you see in a province the oppression of the poor and the violation of justice and righteousness, do not be amazed at the matter, for the high official is watched by a higher, and there are yet higher ones over them.
  3. Cross References
    Isaiah 3:13
    The Lord has taken his place to contend; he stands to judge peoples.
  4. Cross References
    1 Samuel 28:13
    The king said to her, "Do not be afraid. What do you see?" And the woman said to Saul, "I see a god coming up out of the earth.
  5. Cross References
    Psalms 58:11
    Mankind will say, "Surely there is a reward for the righteous; surely there is a God who judges on earth.
  6. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 1:17
    You shall not be partial in judgment. You shall hear the small and the great alike. You shall not be intimidated by anyone, for the judgment is God's. And the case that is too hard for you, you shall bring to me, and I will hear it.
  7. Cross References
    Proverbs 18:5
    It is not good to be partial to the wicked or to deprive the righteous of justice.
  8. Cross References
    Psalms 10:18
    To do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more.
  9. Cross References
    Psalms 41:1
    Blessed is the one who considers the poor! In the day of trouble the Lord delivers him.
  10. Cross References
    Jeremiah 22:3
    Thus says the Lord : Do justice and righteousness, and deliver from the hand of the oppressor him who has been robbed. And do no wrong or violence to the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place.
  11. Cross References
    Job 29:12
    Because I delivered the poor who cried for help, and the fatherless who had none to help him.
  12. Cross References
    Proverbs 24:11
    Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter.
  13. Cross References
    Micah 3:1
    And I said: Hear, you heads of Jacob and rulers of the house of Israel! Is it not for you to know justice? -
    Psalms 14:4
    Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers who eat up my people as they eat bread and do not call upon the Lord ?
  14. Cross References
    Proverbs 2:13
    Who forsake the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness.
  15. Cross References
    Psalms 11:3
    If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?
  16. Cross References
    Psalms 10:6
    He says in his heart, "I shall not be moved; throughout all generations I shall not meet adversity.
  17. Cross References
    Psalms 82:1
    God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment:
    John 10:34
    Jesus answered them, "Is it not written in your Law, 'I said, you are gods'?
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.