
Psalm 82
Guided question at the bottom.
God presides over heaven’s court;
he pronounces judgment on the heavenly beings:
2 “How long will you hand down unjust decisions
by favoring the wicked? Interlude
3 “Give justice to the poor and the orphan;
uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute.
4 Rescue the poor and helpless;
deliver them from the grasp of evil people.
5 But these oppressors know nothing;
they are so ignorant!
They wander about in darkness,
while the whole world is shaken to the core.
6 I say, ‘You are gods;
you are all children of the Most High.
7 But you will die like mere mortals
and fall like every other ruler.’”
8 Rise up, O God, and judge the earth,
for all the nations belong to you.
Questions
What is the role of the “gods” or rulers mentioned in verses 1–2?
How does their failure to uphold justice reflect human leadership today?
How does verse 3 emphasize God’s concern for the weak and oppressed? How do you reflect this concern in your own life?
What does verse 8 teach about God’s ultimate authority over all nations? How should this shape our perspective on earthly power structures?