Psalm 82 is the Bible’s divine courtroom - God judging the rulers of the earth for failing to defend the poor and the fatherless.

Full sung version coming soon.

Lyrics

God presides in the great assembly He judges amongst the gods

How long will you judge unjustly And show partiality to the wicked Defend the weak, the poor, and the fatherless Maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed

Rescue the weak and needy Deliver them out of the hand of the wicked They don’t know neither do they understand They walk back and forth in darkness All the foundations of the earth are shaken

I said, You are gods All of you are sons of the Most High Nevertheless you shall die like men And fall like one of the rulers

Arise, God, judge the earth For you inherit all of the nations God presides in the great assembly He judges amongst the gods

How long will you judge unjustly Show partiality to the wicked Defend the weak and the poor Maintain the rights of the oppressed

Rescue the weak and needy Deliver them from the hand of the wicked Arise, God, judge the earth For you inherit all of the nations

All the foundations of the earth are shaken God presides in the great assembly

Listen

Psalms 82 sung by Psalm Selah. The whole Bible, one chapter at a time.

Published 2026-05-22 · Last updated 2026-06-06
Written by Reid Wender, Editorial Director at Psalmody Press