God’s Word Translation
Psalms 82:1
1God takes his place in his own assembly. He pronounces judgment among the gods:
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”:
- English Standard Version (ESV)God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment:
- New King James Version (NKJV)God stands in the congregation of the mighty; He judges among the gods.
Context of Psalms 82:1
God takes his place in his own assembly. He pronounces judgment among the gods: 2“How long are you going to judge unfairly? How long are you going to side with wicked people?” Selah 3Defend weak people and orphans. Protect the rights of the oppressed and the poor.
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 19:6He told the judges, “Pay attention to what you’re doing. When you judge, you aren’t doing it for a human but for the Lord. He will be with you when you hear a case.
- Exodus 18:21“But choose capable men from all the people, men who fear God, men you can trust, men who hate corruption. Put them in charge of groups of 1,000, or 100, or 50, or 10 people.
- Ecclesiastes 5:8Don’t be surprised if you see poor people being oppressed, denied justice, or denied their rights in any district. One authority is watching over another, and they both have authorities watching over them.
- Psalms 82:6I said, “You are gods. You are all sons of the Most High.
- Psalms 138:1I will give thanks to you with all my heart. I will make music to praise you in front of the false gods.
- Exodus 21:6then his master must bring him to God. The master must bring him to the door or the doorframe and pierce his ear with an awl. Then he will be his slave for life.
- Exodus 22:28“Never show disrespect for God or curse a leader of your people.
- John 10:35The Scriptures cannot be discredited. So if God calls people gods (and they are the people to whom he gave the Scriptures),
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
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
Commentaries