Psalm 82:1
New International Version
A psalm of Asaph. God presides in the great assembly; he renders judgment among the “gods":

New Living Translation
God presides over heaven’s court; he pronounces judgment on the heavenly beings:

English Standard Version
God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment:

Berean Standard Bible
A Psalm of Asaph. God presides in the divine assembly; He renders judgment among the gods:

King James Bible
A Psalm of Asaph. God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods.

New King James Version
A Psalm of Asaph. God stands in the congregation of the mighty; He judges among the gods.

New American Standard Bible
A Psalm of Asaph. God takes His position in His assembly; He judges in the midst of the gods.

NASB 1995
A Psalm of Asaph. God takes His stand in His own congregation; He judges in the midst of the rulers.

NASB 1977
God takes His stand in His own congregation; He judges in the midst of the rulers.

Legacy Standard Bible
A Psalm of Asaph. God takes His stand in the congregation of God; He judges in the midst of gods.

Amplified Bible
A Psalm of Asaph. God stands in the divine assembly; He judges among the gods (divine beings).

Christian Standard Bible
A psalm of Asaph. † God stands in the divine assembly; he pronounces judgment among the gods:

Holman Christian Standard Bible
A psalm of Asaph. God has taken His place in the divine assembly; He judges among the gods:”

American Standard Version
A Psalm of Asaph. God standeth in the congregation of God; He judgeth among the gods.

Contemporary English Version
When all the other gods have come together, the Lord God judges them and says:

English Revised Version
A Psalm of Asaph. God standeth in the congregation of God; he judgeth among the gods.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
[A psalm by Asaph.] God takes his place in his own assembly. He pronounces judgment among the gods:

Good News Translation
God presides in the heavenly council; in the assembly of the gods he gives his decision:

International Standard Version
God takes his stand in the divine assembly; among the divine beings he renders judgment:

Majority Standard Bible
A Psalm of Asaph. God presides in the divine assembly; He renders judgment among the gods:

NET Bible
A psalm of Asaph. God stands in the assembly of El; in the midst of the gods he renders judgment.

New Heart English Bible
[A Psalm by Asaph.] God presides in the assembly of God. He judges among the gods.

Webster's Bible Translation
A Psalm of Asaph. God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods.

World English Bible
A Psalm by Asaph. God presides in the great assembly. He judges among the gods.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
A PSALM OF ASAPH. God has stood in the congregation of God, "" He judges among the gods.

Young's Literal Translation
-- A Psalm of Asaph. God hath stood in the company of God, In the midst God doth judge.

Smith's Literal Translation
Chanting to Asaph. God stood in the assembly of God; he will judge in the midst of gods.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
A psalm for Asaph. God hath stood in the congregation of gods: and being in the midst of them he judgeth gods.

Catholic Public Domain Version
A Psalm of Asaph. God has stood in the synagogue of gods, but, in their midst, he decides between gods.

New American Bible
A psalm of Asaph. God takes a stand in the divine council, gives judgment in the midst of the gods.

New Revised Standard Version
God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment:
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
GOD stands in the congregation of angels; he judges among the angels.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
God stands in the assembly of the Angels and among the Angels he will judge.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
A Psalm of Asaph. God standeth in the congregation of God; In the midst of the judges He judgeth:

Brenton Septuagint Translation
A Psalm for Asaph. God stands in the assembly of gods; and in the midst of them will judge gods.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
God Presides in the Divine Assembly
1A Psalm of Asaph. God presides in the divine assembly; He renders judgment among the gods: 2“How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Selah…

Cross References
John 10:34-36
Jesus replied, “Is it not written in your Law: ‘I have said you are gods’? / If he called them gods to whom the word of God came—and the Scripture cannot be broken— / then what about the One whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world? How then can you accuse Me of blasphemy for stating that I am the Son of God?

Exodus 22:28
You must not blaspheme God or curse the ruler of your people.

Deuteronomy 1:17
Show no partiality in judging; hear both small and great alike. Do not be intimidated by anyone, for judgment belongs to God. And bring to me any case too difficult for you, and I will hear it.”

1 Corinthians 8:5-6
For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many so-called gods and lords), / yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we exist. And there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we exist.

2 Chronicles 19:6-7
Then he said to the judges, “Consider carefully what you do, for you are not judging for man, but for the LORD, who is with you when you render judgment. / And now, may the fear of the LORD be upon you. Be careful what you do, for with the LORD our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery.”

Isaiah 3:13-14
The LORD arises to contend; He stands to judge the people. / The LORD brings this charge against the elders and leaders of His people: “You have devoured the vineyard; the plunder of the poor is in your houses.

Romans 13:1
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God.

1 Samuel 2:10
Those who oppose the LORD will be shattered. He will thunder from heaven against them. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth and will give power to His king. He will exalt the horn of His anointed.”

Job 1:6
One day the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them.

1 Kings 22:19
Micaiah continued, “Therefore hear the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing by Him on His right and on His left.

Hebrews 1:6
And again, when God brings His firstborn into the world, He says: “Let all God’s angels worship Him.”

Daniel 7:9-10
As I continued to watch, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took His seat. His clothing was white as snow, and the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. / A river of fire was flowing, coming out from His presence. Thousands upon thousands attended Him, and myriads upon myriads stood before Him. The court was convened, and the books were opened.

Matthew 25:31-32
When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit on His glorious throne. / All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate the people one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

Acts 17:31
For He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the Man He has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising Him from the dead.”

Revelation 20:11-12
Then I saw a great white throne and the One seated on it. Earth and heaven fled from His presence, and no place was found for them. / And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne. And books were opened, and one of them was the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their deeds, as recorded in the books.


Treasury of Scripture

God stands in the congregation of the mighty; he judges among the gods.

A.

2 Chronicles 19:6,7
And said to the judges, Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the LORD, who is with you in the judgment…

God, etc.

Exodus 18:21
Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:

2 Chronicles 19:6,7
And said to the judges, Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the LORD, who is with you in the judgment…

Ecclesiastes 5:8
If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they.

the gods

Psalm 82:6,7
I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High…

Psalm 138:1
A Psalm of David. I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee.

Exodus 21:6
Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an aul; and he shall serve him for ever.

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Psalm 82
1. The psalmist, having exhorted the judges
5. And reproved their negligence
8. Prays God to judge














God presides
The Hebrew word for "God" here is "Elohim," a term that can denote the one true God or, in some contexts, refer to divine beings or judges. The verb "presides" suggests authority and governance, indicating that God is not a passive observer but an active ruler. This phrase sets the stage for understanding God's supreme authority over all creation, emphasizing His role as the ultimate judge and sovereign. In a historical context, this reflects the ancient Near Eastern concept of a divine council, where a chief deity would preside over other lesser gods or spiritual beings.

in the divine assembly
The "divine assembly" refers to a gathering of spiritual beings or entities. In Hebrew, this is "adat El," which can be understood as a council or congregation of divine beings. This concept is seen in other ancient Near Eastern cultures, where a pantheon of gods would convene. However, in the biblical context, it underscores the monotheistic belief that while there may be other spiritual entities, they are all subject to the one true God, Elohim. This assembly is not a council of equals but a demonstration of God's unparalleled authority.

He renders judgment
The act of rendering judgment implies a legal or judicial proceeding. The Hebrew root "shaphat" means to judge, govern, or vindicate. This highlights God's role as the ultimate judge who discerns and decides with perfect justice. In the biblical narrative, God's judgments are always righteous and true, reflecting His holy nature. This phrase reassures believers of God's active involvement in the moral order of the universe, where He holds all accountable to His standards.

among the gods
The term "gods" here is again "Elohim," which can be perplexing as it is used to describe both the one true God and other spiritual beings. In this context, it likely refers to angelic beings or human judges who have been given authority but are still under God's dominion. This phrase serves as a reminder that no matter the power or authority of these "gods," they are ultimately subordinate to the sovereignty of the Almighty. Historically, this would have been a radical assertion against polytheistic beliefs, affirming the supremacy of Yahweh over any other claimed deities or powers.

(1) Standeth.--In the Hebrew a participle, with an official ring about it. (See Isaiah 3:13.) It is used to designate departmental officers (1Kings 4:5; 1Kings 4:7; 1Kings 4:27; 1Kings 9:23. Comp. 1Samuel 22:9; Ruth 2:5-6). Thus the psalm opens with the solemn statement that God had taken His official place as president of the bench of judges. . . . Verse 1. - God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; or, "in the congregation of God" - "the Divine assembly" (see Job 1:6; Job 2:1; Isaiah 6:1, 2, etc.). El, in the singular, can scarcely mean the "mighty ones of earth." He judgeth among the gods. He "holds a court of judgment in heaven, surrounded by the Divine ministers, who will execute his behests" (Canon Cook).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
A Psalm
מִזְמ֗וֹר (miz·mō·wr)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4210: Instrumental music, a poem set to notes

of Asaph.
לְאָ֫סָ֥ף (lə·’ā·sāp̄)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 623: Asaph -- 'gatherer', the name of several Israelites

God
אֱ‍ֽלֹהִ֗ים (’ĕlō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

presides
נִצָּ֥ב (niṣ·ṣāḇ)
Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5324: To take one's stand, stand

in the divine
אֵ֑ל (’êl)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 410: Strength -- as adjective, mighty, the Almighty

assembly;
בַּעֲדַת־ (ba·‘ă·ḏaṯ-)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 5712: A stated assemblage

He renders judgment
יִשְׁפֹּֽט׃ (yiš·pōṭ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8199: To judge, pronounce sentence, to vindicate, punish, to govern, to litigate

among
בְּקֶ֖רֶב (bə·qe·reḇ)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7130: The nearest part, the center

the gods:
אֱלֹהִ֣ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative


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OT Poetry: Psalm 82:1 A Psalm by Asaph (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 81:16
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