An elder advocates for poor families and children before wealthy, indifferent judges in an ancient court

Psalm 82

Berean Standard Bible
Chapter overview
Psalm 82 indicts rulers who favor the wicked while the weak, orphaned, poor, and oppressed remain vulnerable. Their injustice shakes society's foundations, prompting an appeal for the true judge to restore right order.
JusticeVulnerableJudgmentLeadership

About Psalms: book summary and outline →

1God presides in the divine assembly; He renders judgment among the gods:
2“How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Selah
3Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; uphold the rights of the afflicted and oppressed.
4Rescue the weak and needy; save them from the hand of the wicked.
5They do not know or understand; they wander in the darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken.
6I have said, ‘You are gods; you are all sons of the Most High.’
7But like mortals you will die, and like rulers you will fall.”
8Arise, O God, judge the earth, for all the nations are Your inheritance.

Berean Standard Bible — Public Domain. Where these translations come from.