This psalm presents God standing in the divine assembly and pronouncing judgment on those entrusted with authority who have ruled unjustly. He rebukes them for showing partiality to the wicked instead of defending the weak, the fatherless, the poor, and the needy. Because these rulers lack understanding and walk in darkness, the foundations of the earth are shaken even though they were once called gods and sons of the Most High. The psalm ends by declaring that they will die like mortal men and by calling on God himself to arise and judge the earth, since all nations belong to him.
Psalm 82 is a judicial oracle about corrupt authority and the moral order of the world. It teaches that delegated status does not shield unjust rulers from God's scrutiny, and that true justice for the weak finally depends on God rising to rule universally.
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A1 Psalm of Asaph. 2“How long will you judge unjustly 3Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; 4Rescue the weak and needy;
5They do not know or understand; 6I have said, ‘You are gods; 7But like mortals you will die,
8Arise, O God, judge the earth,
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