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82
A psalm of Asaph.
1 God stands in the midst of his great assembly to judge those who judge.* The word used here for “those who judge” can mean “gods,” “heavenly beings,” or more likely here in the context, the “judges of Israel” (used in this sense in Exodus 21:6 and Exodus 22:8,9).
2 How long will you make unfair judgments and show favoritism to the wicked? Selah.
3 Defend the poor and orphans; support the rights of those who are oppressed and suffering.
4 Rescue the poor and those unable to help themselves; save them from the clutches of evil people.
5 These judges† Implied, referring back to verse 1. don't have any wisdom; they live in the dark; the foundations of the earth are shaken.‡ In other words, since the judges live in moral darkness, the very moral foundations of society fall apart.
6 I say, “You are judges; all of you are children of the Most High.
7 But you will die like any human being, you will fall like any other leader.”
8 Stand up, Lord, and judge the earth, for all the nations belong to you.

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*82:1 The word used here for “those who judge” can mean “gods,” “heavenly beings,” or more likely here in the context, the “judges of Israel” (used in this sense in Exodus 21:6 and Exodus 22:8,9).

†82:5 Implied, referring back to verse 1.

‡82:5 In other words, since the judges live in moral darkness, the very moral foundations of society fall apart.

© 2018 Dr. Jonathan Gallagher