D3 Y 1. God, the righteous Judge.
Z 2-4. Earthly judges indicted.
A 5-. Their wrong judgment. [Negative.]
A -5. Their wrong judgment. [Positive.]
Z 6,7. Earthly judges condemned.
Y 8. God, the righteous Judge.
Psalm 82)
1 God stands (i.e. officially) in GOD'S (El) assembly; (In its civil aspect.)
He judges among the gods. (Used of earthly judges as representing Him. Cp. Ex. 21:6; 22:8,8,28 [quoted in Acts 23:5]. Hence Moses is so spoken of [Ex. 7:1]. [It is used also of idols representing even a false god]. See John 10:34,35.)
2 How long will you judge unjustly,
And accept the persons of the lawless? (Cp. Lev. 19:15. Prov. 18:5. 2 Chron. 19:7.) Selah. (Connecting the indictment with the command to judge righteously.)
3 Vindicate the oppressed (a helpless or expectant one. See Prov. 6:11) and fatherless:
Do justice to the afflicted and needy.
4 Deliver the oppressed and needy:
Rid them out of the hand of the lawless.
5 They know not, neither can they understand;
They walk to and fro in darkness:
All the foundations of the earth are out of course.
6 I have said, "You are gods; (i.e. belong to God [ownership]. Cp. Ex.22:9,28. John 10:34,35.)
And all of you are children of the Most High (Elyon)."
7 But you shall die like men,
And fall like one of the princes. (Cp. Num. 16:2,35.)
8 Arise, O God, judge You the earth:
For You shall inherit all the nations.