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Dhammapada · narration sample

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The Bible · 560 of 1189

Psalms 82

1.God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods.

2.How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.

3.Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.

4.Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.

5.They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course.

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

7.But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.

8.Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations.

Asked of Guide

Why does the psalm call some people “gods” and then say they will die like men?

The psalm calls the judges “gods” and “children of the most High” while rebuking their unjust rule; Psalm 82 holds them responsible for defending the poor and points out their failure: “They know not… they walk on in darkness.” The title “gods” signals their delegated authority and the expectation that comes with it.

The psalm then strips that dignity by declaring their mortality—“ye shall die like men”—to expose the gap between office and character and to demand divine intervention: “Arise, O God, judge the earth.” This tension echoes Exodus and prophetic critiques of corrupt judges and recalls Matthew 23, where Jesus condemns failing leaders who carry authority but betray its duties.

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