Psalms 82:1

With the Hebrew beneath

Psalms 82:1, word by word

A psalmמִזְמוֹרmizmor

psalm

Psalm: a song sung with instruments. It is the title of many of the poems in the book of Psalms.

Where else “mizmor” appears

of Asaphאָסָףasaf

Asaph

Asaph: a name meaning "gatherer," borne by the father of Joah, Hezekiah's recorder (2 Kings 18:18); the Levite who led the singers in David's time, to whom several psalms are attributed (1 Chronicles 16:5; Psalms 50; 73-83); and a keeper of the Persian king's forest (Nehemiah 2:8).

Where else “asaf” appears

Elohimאֱלֹהִיםelohim

Elohim

The one true God, the Creator; the word is plural but means one.

Where else “elohim” appears

standsנִצָּבnitsav

stand

To remain upright in a place without moving.

Where else “nitsav” appears

in the communityעֲדַתadat

community

Israel gathered as one people; or a band of people.

Where else “adat” appears

of Elאֵלel

El, God, god

"El", an ancient Hebrew word for "God". Alone or with another title it is a name of the God of Israel: El Elyon (God Most High), El Shaddai (God Almighty). Neighboring peoples used the same word for their gods; then this translation writes "god" in lower case. It also means "mighty".

Where else “el” appears

in the midstקֶרֶבkerev

midst

In the midst of: "among the people".

Where else “kerev” appears

he judgesיִשְׁפֹּטyishpot

judge

To judge and do justice, defend the weak.

Where else “yishpot” appears

Translation note

“The gods”: the same Hebrew word, elohim. Here it does not designate the Elohim of Israel, but others whom he judges: it can be understood of the human judges and rulers, who judge in his name (compare Exodus 21:6; 22:8), or of heavenly beings. The psalm makes clear that they are beneath him and that they will die (verse 7). Jesus quotes verse 6 in John 10:34-36.

The context