New English Translation
Psalms 82:1
1God stands in the assembly of El; in the midst of the gods he renders 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”:
- 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 stands in the assembly of El; in the midst of the gods he renders judgment. 2He says, “How long will you make unjust legal decisions and show favoritism to the wicked? (Selah) 3Defend the cause of the poor and the fatherless! Vindicate the oppressed and suffering!
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, “Be careful what you do, for you are not judging for men, but for the Lord, who will be with you when you make judicial decisions.
- Exodus 18:21But you choose from the people capable men, God-fearing, men of truth, those who hate bribes, and put them over the people as rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.
- Ecclesiastes 5:8If you see the extortion of the poor, or the perversion of justice and fairness in the government, do not be astonished by the matter. For the high official is watched by a higher official, and there are higher ones over them!
- Psalms 82:6I thought, ‘You are gods; all of you are sons of the Most High.’
- Psalms 138:1I will give you thanks with all my heart; before the heavenly assembly I will sing praises to you.
- Exodus 21:6then his master must bring him to the judges, and he will bring him to the door or the doorposts, and his master will pierce his ear with an awl, and he shall serve him forever.
- Exodus 22:28“You must not blaspheme God or curse the ruler of your people.
- John 10:35If those people to whom the word of God came were called ‘gods’ (and the 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
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Commentaries