Unjust Judgments Rebuked.

A Psalm of Asaph.

1God stands in the divine assembly;

He judges among the gods (divine beings).

2How long will you judge unjustly

And show partiality to the wicked? Selah.

3Vindicate the weak and fatherless;

Do justice and maintain the rights of the afflicted and destitute.

4Rescue the weak and needy;

Rescue them from the hand of the wicked.

5The rulers do not know nor do they understand;

They walk on in the darkness [of complacent satisfaction];

All the foundations of the earth [the fundamental principles of the administration of justice] are shaken.

6I said, “You are [a]gods;

Indeed, all of you are sons of the Most High.

7“Nevertheless you will die like men

And fall like any one of the princes.”

8Arise, O God, judge the earth!

For to You belong all the nations.

[a] 6 Most of the ancient rabbis understood the idea of “gods” referring to judges, but some applied vv 6, 7 to the Israelites at Sinai and maintained that they would have become immortal as a result of accepting the Law, if only they had not committed the sin of the golden calf.