The big picture
Psalms 82 opens in verse 1 with “God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods.”, reaches its middle movement near verse 4 with “Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.”, and closes in verse 8 with “Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations.” Repeated or prominent terms include earth, gods, judge, needy, poor. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Psalms · King James Version · 8Psalms 82:1-8
1–8: God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the…
Psalms 82:1–8 opens with “God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods.” and reaches “Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Psalms 82 develops its own movement around earth, gods, judge, needy, poor, with particular weight carried by earth, gods, judge.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods.” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.
Psalms 82:1-8
King James Version1God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods.
2How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.
3Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.
4Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.
5They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course.
6I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.
7But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.
8Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Psalms 82:1 begins with “God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods.”
Where the chapter turns
Psalms 82:2 forms a natural hinge: “How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.”
The final note
Psalms 82:8 leaves the reader with “Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words earth, gods, judge, needy, poor, wicked help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
KJV words made clear
- thou
- you
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.