New Living Translation
Psalms 82:1
1God presides over heaven’s court; he pronounces judgment on the heavenly beings:
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 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.
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 he said to them, “Always think carefully before pronouncing judgment. Remember that you do not judge to please people but to please the Lord. He will be with you when you render the verdict in each case.
- Exodus 18:21But select from all the people some capable, honest men who fear God and hate bribes. Appoint them as leaders over groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten.
- Ecclesiastes 5:8Don’t be surprised if you see a poor person being oppressed by the powerful and if justice is being miscarried throughout the land. For every official is under orders from higher up, and matters of justice get lost in red tape and bureaucracy.
- Psalms 82:6I say, ‘You are gods; you are all children of the Most High.
- Psalms 138:1I give you thanks, O Lord, with all my heart; I will sing your praises before the gods.
- Exodus 21:6If he does this, his master must present him before God. Then his master must take him to the door or doorpost and publicly pierce his ear with an awl. After that, the slave will serve his master for life.
- Exodus 22:28“You must not dishonor God or curse any of your rulers.
- John 10:35And you know that the Scriptures cannot be altered. So if those people who received God’s message were called ‘gods,’
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