Psalm 82

1    God has taken his stand in the council of heaven;  ♦

in the midst of the gods he gives judgement:

2    ‘How long will you judge unjustly  ♦

and show such favour to the wicked?

3    ‘You were to judge the weak and the orphan;  ♦

defend the right of the humble and needy;

4    ‘Rescue the weak and the poor;  ♦

deliver them from the hand of the wicked.

5    ‘They have no knowledge or wisdom;

    they walk on still in darkness:  ♦

all the foundations of the earth are shaken.

6    ‘Therefore I say that though you are gods  ♦

and all of you children of the Most High,

7    ‘Nevertheless, you shall die like mortals  ♦

and fall like one of their princes.’

8    Arise, O God and judge the earth,  ♦

for it is you that shall take all nations for your possession.

Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England, material from which is included here,
is copyright © The Archbishops' Council 2000 and published by Church House Publishing.