Psalm 82:6
New International Version
“I said, ‘You are “gods"; you are all sons of the Most High.’

New Living Translation
I say, ‘You are gods; you are all children of the Most High.

English Standard Version
I said, “You are gods, sons of the Most High, all of you;

Berean Standard Bible
I have said, ‘You are gods; you are all sons of the Most High.’

King James Bible
I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.

New King James Version
I said, “You are gods, And all of you are children of the Most High.

New American Standard Bible
I said, “You are gods, And all of you are sons of the Most High.

NASB 1995
I said, “You are gods, And all of you are sons of the Most High.

NASB 1977
I said, “You are gods, And all of you are sons of the Most High.

Legacy Standard Bible
I said, “You are gods, And all of you are sons of the Most High.

Amplified Bible
I said, “You are gods; Indeed, all of you are sons of the Most High.

Christian Standard Bible
I said, “You are gods; you are all sons of the Most High.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I said, “You are gods; you are all sons of the Most High.

American Standard Version
I said, Ye are gods, And all of you sons of the Most High.

Contemporary English Version
"I, the Most High God, say that all of you are gods and also my own children.

English Revised Version
I said, Ye are gods, and all of you sons of the Most High.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I said, "You are gods. You are all sons of the Most High.

Good News Translation
'You are gods,' I said; 'all of you are children of the Most High.'

International Standard Version
"Indeed I said, 'You are gods, and all of you are sons of the Most High.

Majority Standard Bible
I have said, ?You are gods; you are all sons of the Most High.?

NET Bible
I thought, 'You are gods; all of you are sons of the Most High.'

New Heart English Bible
I said, "You are gods, all of you are sons of the Most High.

Webster's Bible Translation
I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the Most High.

World English Bible
I said, “You are gods, all of you are sons of the Most High.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
I have said, “You [are] gods, "" And sons of the Most High—all of you,

Young's Literal Translation
I -- I have said, 'Gods ye are, And sons of the Most High -- all of you,

Smith's Literal Translation
I said, Ye are gods; and the sons of the Most High all of you.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
I have said: You are gods and all of you the sons of the most High.

Catholic Public Domain Version
I said: You are gods, and all of you are sons of the Most High.

New American Bible
I declare: “Gods though you be, offspring of the Most High all of you,

New Revised Standard Version
I say, “You are gods, children of the Most High, all of you;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
I have said, You are gods; all of you are children of the most High.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
I have said, "You are gods; you are all children of The Highest!
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
I said: Ye are godlike beings, And all of you sons of the Most High.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you children of the Most High.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
God Presides in the Divine Assembly
5They do not know or understand; they wander in the darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken. 6I have said, ‘You are gods; you are all sons of the Most High.’ 7But like mortals you will die, and like rulers you will fall.”…

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 7:1
The LORD answered Moses, “See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron will be your prophet.

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.

Genesis 1:26-27
Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness, to rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, and over all the earth itself and every creature that crawls upon it.” / So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

2 Peter 1:4
Through these He has given us His precious and magnificent promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, now that you have escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

Isaiah 41:23
Tell us the things that are to come, so that we may know that you are gods. Yes, do something good or evil, that we may look on together in dismay.

Romans 8:14-17
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. / For you did not receive a spirit of slavery that returns you to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption to sonship, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” / The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. ...

Deuteronomy 10:17
For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, mighty, and awesome God, showing no partiality and accepting no bribe.

Galatians 4:6-7
And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” / So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, you are also an heir through God.

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

Hebrews 1:5
For to which of the angels did God ever say: “You are My Son; today I have become Your Father”? Or again: “I will be His Father, and He will be My Son”?

Isaiah 43:10
“You are My witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and My servant whom I have chosen, so that you may consider and believe Me and understand that I am He. Before Me no god was formed, and after Me none will come.

1 John 3:1-2
Behold what manner of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God. And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. / Beloved, we are now children of God, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when Christ appears, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is.

Exodus 4:16
He will speak to the people for you. He will be your spokesman, and it will be as if you were God to him.

Philippians 2:15
so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine as lights in the world


Treasury of Scripture

I have said, You are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.

Psalm 82:1
A Psalm of Asaph. God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods.

Exodus 22:9,28
For all manner of trespass, whether it be for ox, for ass, for sheep, for raiment, or for any manner of lost thing, which another challengeth to be his, the cause of both parties shall come before the judges; and whom the judges shall condemn, he shall pay double unto his neighbour…

John 10:34-36
Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? …

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














I have said,
This phrase indicates a declaration or pronouncement from God. It suggests divine authority and a formal statement. In the context of Psalm 82, God is addressing the judges or leaders of Israel, who are expected to uphold justice and righteousness. This introduction sets the tone for a divine evaluation of their roles and responsibilities.

‘You are gods;
The term "gods" here is translated from the Hebrew word "Elohim," which can refer to divine beings, judges, or rulers. In this context, it is understood to mean human judges or leaders who have been given authority by God to execute justice on earth. This phrase highlights the responsibility and accountability of those in positions of power, as they are representatives of God's justice. The use of "gods" underscores the gravity of their role and the expectation that they act with divine wisdom and fairness.

you are all sons of the Most High.’
This phrase emphasizes the special status and relationship these leaders have with God. Being called "sons of the Most High" implies a position of honor and privilege, as well as a call to reflect God's character in their leadership. The term "Most High" is a title for God that denotes His supreme authority and sovereignty. This phrase also connects to the broader biblical theme of sonship, where believers are called to be children of God, reflecting His nature and purposes. In the New Testament, this concept is expanded through the teachings of Jesus, who is the ultimate Son of God, and through whom believers are adopted into God's family.

Persons / Places / Events
1. God (Elohim)
The supreme being who is addressing the "gods" in this Psalm, emphasizing His authority and the divine order.

2. Gods - Elohim
Refers to human judges or leaders who have been given authority and responsibility to execute justice on earth. The term "elohim" is used here metaphorically to denote their role as representatives of divine justice.

3. Sons of the Most High
This phrase underscores the intended dignity and responsibility of these leaders, highlighting their accountability to God.

4. Asaph
The author of the Psalm, a leader of one of the temple choirs, who is calling out the injustices perpetrated by these leaders.

5. Israel
The nation to whom this Psalm is originally addressed, representing God's chosen people and their leaders.
Teaching Points
Divine Responsibility
Leaders and those in authority are accountable to God for their actions and decisions. They are to reflect God's justice and righteousness in their leadership.

Human Authority and Divine Image
While humans are given authority, it is crucial to remember that it is derived from God. Leaders should exercise their roles with humility and integrity, recognizing their position as a reflection of God's image.

Call to Justice
The Psalm calls for justice and righteousness, urging leaders to defend the weak and fatherless, and to uphold the rights of the afflicted and needy. This is a timeless call for all believers to advocate for justice in their communities.

Identity in God
Believers are reminded of their identity as "sons of the Most High," which carries both privilege and responsibility. This identity should influence how we live and interact with others.

Judgment and Accountability
There is a warning of judgment for those who fail to live up to their God-given responsibilities. This serves as a reminder of the ultimate accountability all will face before God.(6) I have said.--Again the Divine voice breaks the silence with an emphatic I. "From me comes your office and your honoured title, gods; now from me hear your doom. Princes though ye be, ye will die as other men: yea, altogether will ye princes perish." (For the rendering "altogether," literally, like one man, see Ezra 2:64; Ezra 3:9, &c.)

It is interesting to notice that Psalm 82:1; Psalm 82:6 were quoted by Constantine at the opening of the council of Nicaea, to remind the bishops that their high office should raise them above jealousy and party feeling. (For the interest gained by the passage from our Lord's use of it to rebut the charge of blasphemy brought against Him by the scribes, see Note, New Testament Commentary, John 10:34.) . . .

Verse 6. - I have said, Ye are gods; i.e. "in my Law I have called you gods" - I have given you this lofty name (see Exodus 21:6; Exodus 22:8, 9), since ye judge on my behalf, "as my representatives" (Deuteronomy 1:17; 2 Chronicles 19:6; Romans 13:1, 2). And all of you are children of the Most High. Not therefore "gods" in the strictest sense, but possessing a derived, and so a qualified, divinity.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
I
אֲ‍ֽנִי־ (’ănî-)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

have said,
אָ֭מַרְתִּי (’ā·mar·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“You
אַתֶּ֑ם (’at·tem)
Pronoun - second person masculine plural
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

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

you are all
כֻּלְּכֶֽם׃ (kul·lə·ḵem)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

sons
וּבְנֵ֖י (ū·ḇə·nê)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of the Most High.
עֶלְי֣וֹן (‘el·yō·wn)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 5945: An elevation, lofty, as title, the Supreme


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OT Poetry: Psalm 82:6 I said You are gods all (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 82:5
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