English Standard Version
Psalms 82:1
1God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment:
Psalms 82:1 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods.
- New International Version (NIV)God presides in the great assembly; he renders judgment among the “gods”:
- New King James Version (NKJV)God stands in the congregation of the mighty; He judges among the gods.
- New Living Translation (NLT)God presides over heaven’s court; he pronounces judgment on the heavenly beings:
Context of Psalms 82:1
God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment: 2"How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Selah 3Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute.
Read all of Psalms 82Psalms 82:1 word by word
אֱֽלֹהִ֗ים נִצָּ֥ב בַּעֲדַת־אֵ֑ל בְּקֶ֖רֶב אֱלֹהִ֣ים יִשְׁפֹּֽט׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Psalms 82:1
- 2 Chronicles 19:6and said to the judges, "Consider what you do, for you judge not for man but for the Lord. He is with you in giving judgment.
- Exodus 18:21Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.
- Ecclesiastes 5:8If you see in a province the oppression of the poor and the violation of justice and righteousness, do not be amazed at the matter, for the high official is watched by a higher, and there are yet higher ones over them.
- Psalms 82:6I said, "You are gods, sons of the Most High, all of you;
- Psalms 138:1I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise;
- Exodus 21:6then his master shall bring him to God, and he shall bring him to the door or the doorpost. And his master shall bore his ear through with an awl, and he shall be his slave forever.
- Exodus 22:28"You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people.
- John 10:35If he called them gods to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be broken—
Commentaries on Psalms 82:1
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 1God standeth in the congregation of the mighty - The Hebrew should be translated, "God standeth in the assembly of God." God is among his people; and he presides especially in those courts of justice which himself has established. The Court of King's Bench is properly the place where the king presides, and where he is supposed to be always present. But the kings of England seldom make their appearance there. King James I sometimes attended: at such times…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1God standeth in the congregation of the mighty - In the assembly of the rulers and judges; among those of most exalted rank and station. He is there to observe them; to give them law; to direct their decisions; to judge them. He is supreme over them; and he holds them responsible to himself The word rendered congregation is that which is commonly applied to the assembly of the people of Israel, considered as an organized body, or as a body politic. It…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 1An exhortation to judges. (1-5) The doom of evil rulers. (6-8) Verses 1-5 Magistrates are the mighty in authority for the public good. Magistrates are the ministers of God's providence, for keeping up order and peace, and particularly in punishing evil-doers, and protecting those that do well. Good princes and good judges, who mean well, are under Divine direction; and bad ones, who mean ill, are under Divine restraint. The authority of God is to be…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1God is ready to give judgment (see Isaiah 3:13). divine assembly: See Job 1:6.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-81. congregation--(Compare Ex 12:3; 16:1). of the mighty--that is, of God, of His appointment. the gods--or, "judges" (Ex 21:6; 22:9), God's representatives.Read the comment
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Psalms 82
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- The Treasury of David
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries